Forgiveness
Astaghfirullah al-Azim (seeking Allah's forgiveness)
Astaghfirullah al-Azim means "I seek the forgiveness of Allah, the Magnificent." It is the most common daily form of istighfar: the same act the Prophet ﷺ repeated over a hundred times a day, with "al-Azim" (the Magnificent) added in praise of Allah. Say it under your breath through the day, after every prayer, and whenever a mistake weighs on you.
أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللّٰهَ الْعَظِيمَ
Astaghfirullāha al-ʿAẓīm
I seek the forgiveness of Allah, the Magnificent.
Authenticity: The practice of istighfar is established in the Qur'an and Sunnah: the Prophet ﷺ sought Allah's forgiveness over a hundred times a day (Muslim 2702; also Bukhari 6307). This exact wording with "al-Azim" is a widespread daily form rather than a single fixed-text hadith.
Download image to shareWhen to say it
Throughout the day, three times after each obligatory prayer (Muslim 591), and whenever you fall into a mistake or feel its weight.
How often
No fixed cap; aim to repeat it often. The Prophet ﷺ set an example of more than a hundred times a day, and it is Sunnah to say istighfar three times right after each prayer.
Frequently asked
What is the difference between astaghfirullah and astaghfirullah al-Azim?
The meaning is the same: seeking Allah's forgiveness. "Al-Azim" simply adds "the Magnificent," so astaghfirullah al-Azim means "I seek the forgiveness of Allah, the Magnificent." Both are good; the fuller form astaghfirullah wa atubu ilayh adds the intention to actually turn back to Him.
How many times a day should I say it?
There is no fixed cap, only an example to aim at. The Prophet ﷺ said he sought Allah's forgiveness and repented to Him a hundred times a day (Muslim 2702), and in another narration more than seventy times (Bukhari 6307). It is also Sunnah to say it three times right after each obligatory prayer (Muslim 591).