This chapter gathers the Prophet's own habit of turning back to Allah. The Arabic word is istighfar, the seeking of forgiveness, and the striking thing is how often the best of creation, who was already forgiven, kept asking. If he sought pardon dozens of times a day, the door is clearly meant to stay open for everyone.
Across these hadith you will meet the great formulas of return, including Sayyid al-Istighfar, the master of seeking forgiveness, and a promise that constant istighfar brings relief from distress and provision from unexpected places. The lesson is that asking forgiveness is not only for the guilty after sin but a daily polish for a living heart.
Hadith 1869
Al-Agharr Al-Muzani (May Allah be pleased with him) said:
وعن الأغر المزني رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "إنه ليغان على قلبي، وإني لأستغفر الله في اليوم مائة مرة" ((رواه مسلم)).
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Sometimes I perceive a veil over my heart, and I supplicate Allah for forgiveness a hundred times in a day." [Muslim].
In plain words
Even the Prophet would feel a faint dullness over his heart and would seek Allah's forgiveness many times a day. It shows that asking forgiveness is a regular polish for the heart, not only a response to sin.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1869 In-book reference : Book 19, Hadith 1
Hadith 1870
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said:
وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول “والله إني لأستغفر الله وأتوب إليه في اليوم أكثر من سبعين مرة" ((رواه البخاري)).
I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, "I swear by Allah that I seek Allah's Pardon and turn to Him in repentance more than seventy times a day." [Al-Bukhari].
In plain words
The Prophet himself sought Allah's pardon and turned to Him in repentance many times every day. If the best of creation did so, the door of repentance is clearly open and meant for all.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1870 In-book reference : Book 19, Hadith 2
Hadith 1871
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said:
وعنه رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : "والذي نفسي بيده لو لم تذنبوا، لذهب الله تعالى بكم، ولجاء بقوم يذنبون فيستغفرون الله تعالى فيغفر لهم" ((رواه مسلم)).
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "By the One in Whose Hand my soul is! If you do not commit sins, Allah would replace you with a people who would commit sins and seek forgiveness from Allah; and Allah will certainly forgive them." [Muslim].
In plain words
Allah's mercy is so vast that, had people not sinned, He would bring others who sin, repent, and are forgiven. A reassurance that turning back to Allah always finds His forgiveness.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1871 In-book reference : Book 19, Hadith 3
Hadith 1872
Ibn 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) said:
وعن بن عمر رضي الله عنه قال: كنا نعد لرسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم في المجلس الواحد مائة مرة: "رب اغفر لي، وتب على إنك أنت التواب الرحيم" ((رواه أبوداود والترمذي)). وقال : (( حديث حسن صحيح غريب )) .
We counted Messenger's saying a hundred times during one single sitting: Rabb- ighfir li, wa tubb 'alayya, innaka Antat-Tawwabur-Rahim. (My Rubb! Forgive me and pardon me. Indeed, You are the Oft-Returning with compassion and Ever Merciful." [Abu Dawud and At- Tirmidhi].
In plain words
The companions noted the Prophet repeating, many times in one sitting, a short prayer asking Allah for forgiveness and acceptance. A simple practice of constant return to Allah.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1872 In-book reference : Book 19, Hadith 4
Hadith 1873
Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) said:
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.
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].
In plain words
A short, powerful formula of seeking forgiveness is given, promising pardon even for one whose sin felt as grave as fleeing the battlefield. It shows the reach of Allah's mercy for the one who turns to Him.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1873 In-book reference : Book 19, Hadith 5
Hadith 1874
Ibn Mas'ud (May Allah be pleased with him) said:
وعن ابن مسعود رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : "من قال: أستغفر الله الذي لا إله إلا هو الحي القيوم وأتوب إليه ، غفرت ذنوبه ، وإن كان قد فر من الزحف" ((رواه أبو داود والترمذي والحاكم، وقال: حديث صحيح على شرط البخاري ومسلم)).
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "He who says: 'Astaghfir ullah-alladhi la ilaha illa Huwal-Haiyul-Qayyumu, wa atubu ilaihi (I seek the forgiveness of Allah, there is no true god except Allah, the Ever-Living, the Self- Subsisting, and I turn to Him in repentance),' his sins will be forgiven even if he should have run away from the battlefield (while he was engaged in fighting for the Cause of Allah)." [Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi and Al-Hakim (on conditions of Al-Bukhari and Muslim for accepting Hadith)].
In plain words
Whoever prays the master supplication for forgiveness, given here, with firm belief and dies that day or night will be among the people of Paradise. A heartfelt daily prayer of acknowledging Allah and one's own need for pardon.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1874 In-book reference : Book 19, Hadith 6
Hadith 1875
Shaddad bin Aus (May Allah be pleased with him) said:
وعن شداد بن أوس رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "سيد الإستغفار أن يقول العبد : اللهم أنت ربي، لا إله إلا أنت ، خلقتني وأنا عبدك، وأنا على عهدك ووعدك ما استطعت أعوذ بك من شر ما صنعت أبوء لك بنعمتك علي، وأبوء بذنبي، فاغفر لي فإنه لا يغفر الذنوب إلا أنت، من قالها من النهار موقنا بها، فمات من يومه قبل أن يمسي، فهو من أهل الجنة، ومن قالها من الليل وهو موقن بها فمات قبل أن يصبح، فهو من أهل الجنة” ((رواه البخاري)). (1)
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The best supplication for seeking forgiveness (Syed-ul- Istighfar) is to say: 'Allahumma Anta Rabbi, la ilaha illa Anta, khalaqtani wa ana 'abduka, wa ana 'ala 'ahdika wa wa'dika mastata'tu, a'udhu bika min sharri ma sana'tu, abu'u laka bini'matika 'alayya, wa abu'u bidhanbi faghfir li, fa innahu la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa Anta. (O Allah! You are my Rubb. There is no true god except You. You have created me, and I am Your slave, and I hold to Your Covenant as far as I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge the favours that You have bestowed upon me, and I confess my sins. Pardon me, for none but You has the power to pardon).' He who supplicates in these terms during the day with firm belief in it and dies on the same day (before the evening), he will be one of the dwellers of Jannah; and if anyone supplicates in these terms during the night with firm belief in it and dies before the morning, he will be one of the dwellers of Jannah." [Al-Bukhari].
In plain words
After finishing prayer, the Prophet would seek forgiveness and then praise Allah as the source of peace. A simple habit of closing worship with humility and remembrance.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1875 In-book reference : Book 19, Hadith 7
Hadith 1876
Thauban (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
- 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)).
Whenever the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) finished his Salat (prayer), he would beg forgiveness three times [by saying, 'Astaghfirullah' ( 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. O 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].
In plain words
Near the end of his life, the Prophet often repeated a short praise of Allah joined with seeking forgiveness and turning back to Him. A model of keeping the tongue moist with repentance.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1876 In-book reference : Book 19, Hadith 8
Hadith 1877
'Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:
وعن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يكثر أن يقول قبل موته "سبحان الله وبحمده، أستغفر الله، وأتوب إليه" ((متفق عليه)).
Prior to his demise, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to supplicate frequently: Subhan Allahi wa bihamdihi; Astaghfirullaha wa atubu ilaihi (Allah is free from imperfection, and I begin with praising Him. I beg forgiveness from Allah and I turn to Him in repentance." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Allah promises to keep forgiving the one who keeps asking, however many or great the sins, as long as they do not associate partners with Him. A vast assurance of mercy for the sincere.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1877 In-book reference : Book 19, Hadith 9
Hadith 1878
Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) said:
وعن أنس رضي الله عنه قال: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: “قال الله تعالى: يا ابن آدم إنك ما دعوتني ورجوتني غفرت لك ما كان منك ولا أبالي، يا ابن آدم لو بلغت ذنوبك عنان السماء، ثم استغفرتني ، غفرت لك ولا أبالي، يا ابن آدم إنك لو أتيتني بقراب الأرض خطايا، ثم لقيتني لا تشرك بي شيئاً، لأتيتك بقرابها مغفرة" . (2)
I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, "Allah, the Exalted, has said: 'O son of Adam! I shall go on forgiving you so long as you pray to Me and aspire for My forgiveness whatever may be your sins. O son of Adam! I do not care even if your sins should pile up to the sky and should you beg pardon of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam! If you come to Me with an earthful of sins and meet Me, not associating anything with Me in worship, I will certainly grant you as much pardon as will fill the earth."' [At-Tirmidhi].
In plain words
The Prophet counseled women to give charity and seek forgiveness often, and addressed gratitude to husbands and steadfastness in faith. A call to charity and to constant seeking of Allah's pardon.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1878 In-book reference : Book 19, Hadith 10
Hadith 1879
Ibn 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) said:
وعن ابن عمر رضي الله عنهما أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "يا معشر النساء تصدقن، وأكثرن من الاستغفار، فإني رأيتكن أكثر أهل النار" قالت امرأة منهن: مالنا أكثر أهل النار؟ قال: "تكثرن اللعن، وتكفرن العشير مارأيت من ناقصات عقل ودين أغلب لذي لب منكن" قالت: ما نقصان العقل والدين؟ قال" "شهادة امرأتين بشهادة رجل، وتمكث الأيام لا تصلي" ((رواه مسلم)).
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "O women folk! You should give charity and be diligent in seeking Allah's forgiveness because I have seen (i.e., on the Night of the Ascension to the highest heavens) that dwellers of the Hell are women." A woman amongst them said: "Why is it that the majority of the dwellers of Hell are women?" The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, "You curse frequently and are ungrateful to your husbands. In spite of your lacking in wisdom and failing in religion, you are depriving the wisest of men of their intelligence." Upon this the woman asked: "What is the deficiency in our wisdom and in our religion?" He (ﷺ) replied, "Your lack of wisdom can be well judged from the fact that the evidence of two women is equal to that one man. You do not offer Salat (prayer) for some days and you do not fast (the whole of) Ramadan sometimes, it is a deficiency in religion." [Muslim].
In plain words
Whoever constantly seeks Allah's forgiveness will be given relief from every distress and provision from where they did not expect. A promise that istighfar opens doors of ease and sustenance.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1879 In-book reference : Book 19, Hadith 11