Astaghfirullah — Meaning, Practice and How to Recite It

When to recite it

• Immediately after the taslim, three times, before the rest of the post-prayer dhikr.
• Whenever you remember a wrong, or want to keep a habit of asking for forgiveness.
• As a longer daily count, often one hundred, for people building a fixed istighfar practice.

Meaning and practice

Astaghfirullah means I seek Allah's forgiveness. It is short enough to repeat and wide enough to cover a sin you can name and the faults you cannot see.

Sahih Muslim records that the Prophet, peace be upon him, sought forgiveness three times when he finished the prayer. That is why the after-salah routine on this site begins with three, and does not skip ahead into the tasbih.

The master formula, Sayyid al-Istighfar, is a different and longer supplication reported in Sahih al-Bukhari. Use the short phrase for counted repetition. Use the longer one once, with attention, especially in the morning.

Nothing in a count guarantees a particular worldly result. Forgiveness is asked of Allah. The counter only helps you keep the number you intended.

Source note: Sahih Muslim: seeking forgiveness three times after the taslim. Recommended count: 100.

Frequently asked questions