Forgiveness
Astaghfirullah (I seek the forgiveness of Allah)
Astaghfirullah is the simplest and most common form of istighfar, seeking Allah's forgiveness. The Prophet ﷺ, though already forgiven, said it more than seventy times a day in one narration and a hundred in another. Repeat it any time: after a sin, after a prayer, or as a constant remembrance on the tongue to keep the heart soft and the sins wiped away.
أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللّٰهَ
Astaghfirullāh
I seek the forgiveness of Allah.
Authenticity: Sahih (authentic). The Prophet ﷺ said he sought Allah's forgiveness more than seventy times a day (al-Bukhari 6307), and in another wording a hundred times a day (Muslim 2702).
Download image to shareWhen to say it
At any moment: after committing a sin, after finishing a prayer, and as an ongoing dhikr throughout the day.
How often
The Prophet ﷺ said it more than seventy times a day (al-Bukhari) and a hundred times a day (Muslim); it is also said three times after the obligatory prayer. Otherwise there is no fixed limit, so repeat it often.
Frequently asked
How many times a day should I say Astaghfirullah?
There is no obligatory count, but the Prophet ﷺ set the example by seeking forgiveness more than seventy times a day (al-Bukhari 6307) and a hundred times in another narration (Muslim 2702). Many also say it three times right after the obligatory prayer.
What is the difference between Astaghfirullah and Sayyid al-Istighfar?
Astaghfirullah is the short, everyday phrase you can repeat anywhere. Sayyid al-Istighfar (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306) is the fuller master formula of seeking forgiveness, said morning and evening. Both are authentic; the short one suits constant repetition, the longer one a fixed daily appointment.