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In a narration, three people came to Imam Hasan al-Basri Rahimahullah, each with a different problem poverty, drought, and barrenness.

In all instances, the Imam instructed them to say “astaghfirullah,” implying that seeking Allah’s mercy and forgiveness is the panacea for all.

The reason is that the Quran states that the act of seeking Allah’s forgiveness will result in abundant showers of blessings, including wealth, offspring, gardens, and rivers.

When Adam and Eve left paradise, they turned back to Allah in sincere repentance, inspiring us to emulate their path of seeking forgiveness. The act of seeking forgiveness underscores Allah’s readiness to forgive, even more than the most forgiving human being we’ve ever encountered.

Istighfar, the verbal admission of a shortcoming, forms part of our wholesome package of turning back to Allah.

It’s fundamentally intertwined with nadam (regret), our remorse, and tawbah (repentance), our subsequent actions to right our wrongs.

Istighfar is not just about righting our wrongs; it’s also about acknowledging our failure to adequately respond to the favors Allah has bestowed on us.

This is beautifully captured in post-Salah tradition when we say “astaghfirullah” — not because we have committed a sin, but because we recognize the deficiency in our Salah.

Interestingly, the act of seeking forgiveness doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all aperture; it varies with individuals and circumstances. A lover of Allah and a sinner might both make Istighfar, but the context, frequency, and quality would differ. Regardless of anyone’s status, everyone is always in a state of istighfar.

Beyond the variety of phrases for seeking forgiveness, the practice of istighfar has several benefits, such as removing distress and anxiety, providing unexpected sustenance, and eliminating spiritual fog. It serves as a pathway to clarity, tranquility, and, most importantly, closeness to Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala.

Ultimate forgiveness is in the hands of Allah, and continuous seeking of forgiveness - after doing wrong, after doing good, and even when someone praises us - will only bring us closer to His mercy.