Every day, we make mistakes. Some are big, some are small. We hurt others, forget our duties, and sin without even knowing. But Allah is always ready to forgive. He is Al-Ghafoor and Ar-Rahman. That is why we must turn to Him again and again and ask for His mercy.
One powerful and easy dua is to say “Astaghfirullah” more than 100 times a day. It means “I seek forgiveness from Allah.” This short dua can wipe away many sins. The article will also share more important duas for forgiveness from the Quran and Hadith. Each one brings peace to the heart and draws us closer to Allah’s mercy.
10 Ideal Duas to Ask for Forgiveness According to the Quran and Sunnah
1. Forgiveness for Major Sins
Purpose: For when we deeply wrong ourselves and feel heavy guilt.
Arabic:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي ظُلْمًا كَثِيرًا
وَلَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ
فَاغْفِرْ لِي مَغْفِرَةً مِنْ عِنْدِكَ
وَارْحَمْنِي إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
Transliteration:
Allahumma inni zalamtu nafsi zulman kathīran,
wa lā yaghfirudh-dhunūba illā anta,
faghfir lī maghfiratan min ‘indika,
wa arhamnī innaka anta al-Ghafūru ar-Raḥīm.
Translation in English:
O Allah! I have wronged myself deeply. No one forgives sins except You. So grant me from You forgiveness. Have mercy on me. You are the Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.
This dua was taught by Prophet ﷺ to Abu Bakr, recorded in both Sahih Bukhari and Muslim.
2. General Repentance – Sayyid al-Istighfar
Purpose: Complete repentance covering duty, sin, blessings.
Arabic:
اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي…
فَاغْفِرْ لِي فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ
Transliteration:
Allahumma anta rabbī, lā ilāha illā anta…
faghfir lī fa-innahu lā yaghfirudh-dhunūba illā anta.
Translation in English:
O Allah, You are my Lord alone… I admit my blessings and admit my sin. Forgive me—none can forgive sins except You.
Prophet ﷺ said: “Best istighfar; one who dies after reciting it with belief enters Paradise”.
3. Quick Istighfar for Any Sin
Purpose: Fast erasing of sins anytime.
Arabic: أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ…
Transliteration:
Astaghfirullāha alladhī lā ilāha illā huwa al-Ḥayyul‑Qayyūm, wa atūbu ilayh.
Translation in English:
I seek Allah’s forgiveness, none has the right to be worshipped except He, the Living, the Eternal. I repent to Him.
This short istighfar wipes away sins “even if one fled in battle”.
4. Forgiveness After Wrong Actions
Purpose: When knowingly sinning and seeking hope.
Arabic: رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَا أَنْفُسَنَا…
Transliteration:
Rabbana ẓalamnā anfusanā…
Translation in English:
“Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. Forgive us, or we will be among the losers.” (Qur’an 7:23)
This dua humbly admits our faults and asks for Allah’s swift forgiveness.
5. For Forgiveness and Mercy
Purpose: Asking forgiveness plus compassion.
Arabic: رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا... (3:193)
Transliteration:
Rabbana ighfir lanā dhunūbanā…
Translation in English:
“Our Lord! Forgive our sins and remove our evil deeds, make us die among the righteous.”
A holistic dua taught in the Quran for both pardon and mercy.
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6. Protection from Hellfire
Purpose: For salvation from punishment.
Arabic: ٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا إِنَّنَا آمَنَّا… (3:16)
Transliteration:
Alladhīna yaqūlūna rabbana innā āmannā…
Translation in English:
“Those who say: ‘Our Lord, we believe; so forgive us our sins and protect us from the Fire.’”
This dua links faith with seeking warmth from Allah’s mercy .
7. Forgiveness for Family & Believers
Purpose: Mercy for ourselves, our parents, and all believers.
Arabic: رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيَّ…
Transliteration:
Rabbana ighfir lī wa li‑walidayya…
Translation in English:
“Our Lord! Forgive me and my parents and the believers on the Day when judgment is established.”
A caring dua that extends forgiveness beyond the self.
8. Forgiveness of Past & Future, Secret & Open Sins
Purpose: Comprehensive repentance across time and context.
Arabic: اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَمَا أَخَّرْتُ…
Transliteration:
Allahumma ighfir lī mā qaddamtu wa mā akhkartu…
Translation in English:
“O Allah, forgive me for what I did before and what I will do, for what I did in secret and in public…”
Covers every action across all contexts—a powerful full-scope dua.
9. Laylat al-Qadr Night Dua
Purpose: Seeking major-sin forgiveness on the night of decree.
Arabic: اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ…
Transliteration in English:
Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuḥibbul-‘afwa fa‘fu ‘annī.
Translation:
“O Allah, You are the Forgiver. You love to forgive—so forgive me.”
Prophet ﷺ advised this dua on Laylat al-Qadr due to its deep emotional resonance .
10. Prophet Yunus’s Dua in Distress
Purpose: Forgiving major wrongdoing in crisis.
Arabic: لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
Transliteration:
Lā ilāha illā anta subḥānaka innī kuntu minaẓ–ẓālimīn.
Translation in English:
“There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed I have been of the wrongdoers.” (Q 21:87)
A short dua of humility from Prophet Yunus (AS); used when overwhelmed.
How to Get Instant Forgiveness from Allah?
Allah loves when we turn to Him sincerely. At any time, pause for a moment. Feel what you did was wrong. Say “Astaghfirullah” with your heart, not just your tongue. Then forgive yourself and intend not to repeat the sin. This honest moment cleans your heart.
If you feel heavy, make a small dua: “Rabbighfir warham wa anta khayrur-rahimeen” (My Lord, forgive and have mercy; You are best of the merciful). Allah hears you immediately. He is close and quick to forgive. Keep your heart soft and keep asking.
Does Saying Astaghfirullah Remove Sins?
Yes. Saying “Astaghfirullah” truly wipes sins. The Prophet ﷺ used it 70–100 times a day . It lightens the heart. It brings relief, ease, and blessings. Every time you say it with focus, your past slips away.
Allah promises those who seek forgiveness will find a way out of hardship and their sins wiped clean. This simple dua gives peace fast. It’s a gift from Allah. Do it often, especially after salah or whenever you feel guilt. It works. That is why our Prophet ﷺ taught us to keep moistening our tongues with it daily.
How Do I Repent/Ask Forgiveness for a Minor Sin?
Minor sins, though small, still harm our heart. Step one: feel sorry. Step two: say “Astaghfirullah”. If possible, add “wa atubu ilayh” (and I turn to Him). Do it often—three, five, ten times. The Prophet ﷺ said good deeds wipe minor sins. Even praising Allah with “SubhanAllah wa bihamdihi” 100 times a day erases sins like sea foam.
Start your morning or evening with these. Make firm intention not to repeat the sin. If you forget to repent, do so when you remember. Allah does not burden you more than He created you for. He forgives gently and completely when you turn to Him.
Final Words
Asking for forgiveness is a bridge to Allah’s mercy. Mistakes are part of life. But turning to Allah humbly wipes them clean. Keep sincere, repeat these duas often, and trust His endless forgiveness.
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