How Should We Ask Allah for Forgiveness?

There is no such thing as a sinless person or someone who has never made a mistake. The key to being a good Muslim is to analyze your mistakes, seek forgiveness from Allah, resolve them, and not repeat them.

Also, by asking at the right time and using the right words, your prayers for forgiveness can have a greater impact. Perform acts of kindness, charity, and worship to compensate for your sins and cleanse your heart even more by seeking forgiveness.

Let’s learn in more detail how to ask Allah for the forgiveness of your sins and try not to repeat them. First, let’s start by discussing a major sin and a minor sin.

How do Major Sins and Minor Sins differ?

The first step to asking for forgiveness is identifying what needs repaying. Scholars say what constitutes a major or a minor sin is unclear. According to the consensus, major sins are those Allah has established a specific punishment for. Associating partners with Allah (shirk), murdering, adultering, and disrespecting parents are major sins.

Minor sins are those committed when one prays incorrectly, acts immodestly, or curses. Despite their name, minor sins should not be taken lightly.

What Should I do to ask Allah for Forgiveness for My Sins?

How to ask Allah for forgiveness? Here are a few ways to answer it. These all help you become a better Muslim and get closer to Allah.

1. Accept You Have Committed a Sin (Taubah)

The first step is to accept that you have committed a sin and or you are wrong. The next step is to find what you did wrong and why Allah considers this an act of sin or wrongdoing. Read the Prophet’s (PBUH) Sunnah and guides to seek your answers or ask religious scholars they can guide you better. Further, study the rules of Shariah and act accordingly.

Remember, everyone makes mistakes, and it’s never too late to accept your mistake and repent, Allah is all forgiving and merciful.

2. Understand How Your Mistake or Sin Affected Another Person

Consider whether your actions have caused harm to other people, and if so, whom you have hurt and to what extent. You must apologize to that person for your actions and pay them if you have caused any intentional loss to them. If that person forgives you then surely Allah will too.

For example, if you have stolen some money, you must return it, or if it is a case of property or stolen land, then return it to the rightful owner and ask for their forgiveness from Allah.

Also, slander is a sin, and you must seek that person’s forgiveness from the bottom of your heart. Request their forgiveness and apologize for what you said.

3. Praying at the Right Time and in the Right Way

Perform salah regularly. Make sure that your prayers are performed most earnestly and reverently possible. Observe the five obligatory salah’s according to their respective times. If you are a male, you should perform these prayers in a mosque. The serene and dedicated environment may be of assistance to you.

Consider performing additional Sunnah and Nawafil rakats each day. As long as you follow them consistently, they will play a significant role in your favor. The importance of prayer in the daily schedule of every Muslim cannot be overstated, as it is the key to forming a close connection with Allah.

4. Keep Asking Allah for Forgiveness all the Time

A person may not receive forgiveness in a single day, as it will depend on the severity of their sin. As you seek forgiveness, you will gradually improve yourself from within and right the wrongs you have committed against Allah. It could be a long, exhausting process if you seek forgiveness, but it could prevent you from going to hell in the long run.

The Prophet (S.A.W.S) said: “Allah, the Exalted, will continue to stretch out His Hand in the night so that the sinners of the day may repent, and continue to stretch His Hand in the daytime so that the sinners of the night may repent until the sun rises from the west (the start of Day of Judgment).” (Riyad as-Salihin, 16)

5. Seeking Forgiveness by Performing Acts

It is recommended that you fast during Ramadan. In Islam, this is one of the most important times of the year to devote oneself to Allah. Additionally, it is referred to as the “month of forgiveness.” These days, devote yourself to seeking forgiveness of your sins with sincerity and dedication.

Prophet (S.A.W.S) said: “The five daily prayers and one Jumu’ah to the next, and one Ramadan to the next Ramadan, is expiation for what lies between them as long as one refrain from the major sins.” (Sahih Muslim, 233c)

The fast is one of the best ways to become familiar with Allah’s many blessings and remind Muslims of His kindness.

6. Turn to Allah in Times of Need

Whenever you find yourself in difficulty or facing a challenge, turn to Allah for help and guidance. This helps you avoid doing anything sinful or wrong which you may regret later.  Trust in Allah wisdom and mercy, and remember that He is the One who can grant relief and guidance in times of need.

7. Erase Bad Deeds Through Good Deeds

Make sure you perform good deeds that Allah will appreciate. Take advantage of chances to assist the people around you on a daily basis.

“Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds”. (Quran 11:114)

It could be as simple as helping your neighbor carry furniture in, giving a colleague a ride while their vehicle is being repaired, or buying a meal for the homeless.

The Qur’an should be read daily, azkar are made after each salaat, and dhikr is sought regularly. It is essential to recognize that all of the actions listed above will provide great rewards along with the ability to develop a focus on the Afterlife and a deep connection with Allah, which will prevent you from committing sins.

8. Become a Zakat Donor

Zakat is a powerful tool for atoning for your sins. In addition to making you feel better about yourself, it will also help make others’ lives better. Donate to a charity regularly or devote your time to a charity if you cannot make a financial contribution.

9. Recite Dua to Ask Allah for Forgiveness

The duas are a form of asking for forgiveness. If you wish to ask for forgiveness from Allah, you may recite two at a time. The following are some options:

Keep reciting Astaghfirullah at all times. It should be recited 100 times daily, including thrice after every salat. Many Muslims recite “Astaghfirullah al Azeem” thousands of times as part of the self-healing process after sins such as missing Fajr.

According to Allah’s Messenger, the one who says, ‘Subhan Allah wa bihamdihi,’ 100 times a day, will be forgiven all his sins even if they were as much as the foam of the sea (Sahih al-Bukhari, 6405)

Conclusion

There are many ways to ask Allah for forgiveness, and we have listed some. Remember Allah is forgiving and merciful, and to shower his blessings on you, you must recognize your mistake and ask for forgiveness from the bottom of your heart. So, if you have committed any sin, start today for forgiveness it’s never too late.