When you’re feeling down and low – or you’re about to be on the stage, delivering an important speech and you’re all sweating and your heart beats faster than it normally would – what do you do?
You’re well prepared, you’ve followed all the ‘must-do-tips’ but hey, you’re just you! You’re still nervous and shaking.
Say istigfar !
Ibn ‘Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) said:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “If anyone constantly seeks pardon (from Allah), Allah will appoint for him a way out of every distress and a relief from every anxiety, and will provide sustenance for him from where he expects not.”
[Abu Dawud].وعن ابن عباس رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : “من لزم الاستغفار ، جعل الله له من كل ضيق مخرجاً ومن كل هم فرجاً، ورزقه من حيث لا يحتسب” ((رواه أبو داود بإسناد ضعيف)).
| Sunnah.com reference | : Book 20, Hadith 5 |
| Arabic/English book reference | : Book 20, Hadith 1873 |
So what is istigfar?
Istigfar or Istighfar (Arabic: استغفار istiġfār), is the act of seeking forgiveness from Allah. It is considered one of the essential parts of worship in Islam.
How to say istigfar?
Prophet Muhammad in various authentic hadith had been recorded to suggest a few ways to say istigfar. One of the famous hadith would be that he suggested us to recite istigfar at least 3 times after each prayer (solat).
If you are a woman in menses, make it a habit to say istigfar at least 15 times daily.
Here’s why.
According to an authentic hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would say istigfar 3 times a day after each prayer. This means he would say istigfar at least 15 times daily. Since you are in menses and are excused from performing solat, you can always say istigfar instead.
Thauban (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
Whenever the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) finished his solat (prayer), he would beg forgiveness three times [by saying, ‘Astaghfirullah’ (3 times)] and then he would say: “Allahumma Antas-Salamu, wa minkas-Salamu, tabarakta ya Dhal-Jalali wal-Ikram” (O Allah! You are the Bestower of security, and security comes from You; Blessed are You Possessor of glory and honour).” Imam Al-Auza’i (one of the subnarrators) of this Hadith was asked: “How forgiveness should be sought?” He replied: “I say: Astaghfirullah, Astaghfirullah (I seek forgiveness from Allah. I seek forgiveness from Allah).”
[Muslim].– وعن ثوبان رضي الله عنه قال: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا انصرف من صلاته ، استغفر الله ثلاثاً وقال: ”اللهم أنت السلام، ومنك السلام، تباركت يا ياذا الجلال والإكرام” قيل للأوزاعي- وهو أحد رواته: كيف الإستغفار؟ قال: يقول: ”أستغفر الله ، أستغفر الله” ((رواه مسلم)).
| Sunnah.com reference | : Book 20, Hadith 8 |
| Arabic/English book reference | : Book 20, Hadith 1876 |
أستغفر الله العظيم
أستغفر الله العظيم
أستغفر الله العظيم
Are you nervous? Say your istigfar NOW!
Sources: https://sunnah.com/riyadussaliheen/20 and Wikipedia
