Sayyidul Istighfar: The Master Supplication for Forgiveness
Learn Sayyidul Istighfar, the master dua for forgiveness in Islam. Complete Arabic text, transliteration, meaning, and the hadith about its immense reward (Jannah).
Sayyidul Istighfar (سيد الاستغفار) means "The Master of Seeking Forgiveness." It is the best and most complete form of Istighfar taught by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). In Islam, seeking forgiveness (Istighfar) is one of the most beloved acts of worship to Allah. While saying Astaghfirullah is highly rewarding, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) taught us a profound, comprehensive supplication known as Sayyidul Istighfar.
It is called the "Chief" because it perfectly encapsulates the essence of repentance. It is not just a request for pardon; it is a profound declaration of Tawheed (the Oneness of Allah), an admission of human weakness, an acknowledgment of Allah's endless blessings, and a sincere plea for His ultimate mercy.
Sayyidul Istighfar Dua: Read & Recite
To gain the immense rewards of this beautiful prayer, you can read the Arabic text, use the transliteration to help with pronunciation, and reflect deeply on its English meaning.
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 laka bidhanbi faghfir li, fa innahu la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa anta.
"O Allah, You are my Lord, there is no deity but You. You created me and I am Your servant, and I am abiding to Your covenant and promise as best as I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge Your favor upon me, and I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me, for truly no one forgives sins except You."
The Immense Virtues & Benefits of Sayyidul Istighfar
The reward for reciting Sayyidul Istighfar with unwavering faith and sincerity is nothing less than Paradise (Jannah).
The Guarantee of Paradise:
Reference: Narrated by Shaddad bin Aws (RA), the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
"The most superior way of asking for forgiveness from Allah is to say (the above supplication). If somebody recites it during the day with firm faith in it, and dies on the same day before the evening, he will be from the people of Paradise; and if somebody recites it at night with firm faith in it, and dies before the morning, he will be from the people of Paradise." (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306)
Why is it so powerful?
- Affirmation of Faith: It begins by acknowledging Allah as the sole Creator and Lord.
- Commitment: The reciter renews their pledge to obey Allah to the best of their human ability.
- Gratitude & Humility: It balances the recognition of Allah's countless blessings with a humble confession of one's own sins and shortcomings.
- Absolute Reliance: It ends with the realization that no one in the universe has the power to forgive sins except Allah alone.
When Should You Recite Sayyidul Istighfar?
The hadith itself names only "during the day" and "at night", not a specific prayer. In practice it is recited as part of the morning and evening adhkar, and those are the timings scholars give for that set of remembrances rather than for this dua in particular.
- In the morning: once, any time after Fajr and before the day is out. Most people say it with the rest of the morning adhkar.
- In the evening: once, commonly between Asr and sunset with the evening adhkar. What the hadith requires is simply that it be said during the night.
How Many Times Should You Recite It?
Once in the morning and once in the evening. The hadith sets no repetition count, and unlike the short forms of istighfar this dua is not meant to be said in series: its length and what it acknowledges are what give it its rank. Saying it once, understanding it, is the point.
The short forms are the ones you count. "Astaghfirullah" is recited seventy or a hundred times a day, and that is where a counter earns its place. Use the counter below for those, and keep Sayyidul Istighfar to its two fixed moments.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sayyidul Istighfar?
Sayyidul Istighfar means “the master of seeking forgiveness.” It is the most complete supplication for forgiveness taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, beginning with “Allahumma anta Rabbi la ilaha illa anta.”
What are the benefits of Sayyidul Istighfar?
Whoever recites it with firm faith in the morning and dies before evening, or recites it in the evening and dies before morning, will be among the people of Paradise (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306). It also purifies the heart and brings peace.
When should you recite Sayyidul Istighfar?
It is best recited once in the morning after Fajr and once in the evening after Asr or Maghrib, as part of the daily morning and evening adhkar.
How many times should you recite Sayyidul Istighfar?
Reciting it once in the morning and once in the evening is enough to gain the reward in the hadith. Many people repeat it more often for deeper reflection and repentance.
Is Sayyidul Istighfar authentic?
Yes. It is narrated by Shaddad bin Aws (RA) and recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari (6306), one of the most authentic collections of hadith.
Can I recite Sayyidul Istighfar in English?
Understanding the meaning in English is important, but the dua should be recited in Arabic to preserve its exact words. Use the transliteration above to learn the correct pronunciation.