The Power of Repentance: Seeking Forgiveness from Allah

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How to Perform the Prayer of Repentance and Seek Allah's Forgiveness

How to Perform the Prayer of Repentance and Seek Allah’s Forgiveness

Humans are prone to sin, and mistakes happen. The children of Adam should always turn to Allah. When a person makes a mistake and then feels ashamed and asks Allah for forgiveness, they find Allah to be very forgiving. Allah has encouraged His servants to seek forgiveness. The Almighty says:

And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed. (Surah An-Nur: 31)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) not only encouraged repentance but also practiced it frequently. He used to seek forgiveness a hundred times a day.

For repentance, performing the prayer of repentance is not a condition but is recommended. Sincere regret is sufficient for repentance. However, the best way to seek forgiveness is for a person, after committing a specific or general sin, to perform ablution, pray two units of prayer with the intention of repentance, and then sincerely feel remorse for their sins and ask Allah for forgiveness, resolving not to commit the sin again. Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, forgives His servant.

Evidence for the Prayer of Repentance:

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "There is no servant who commits a sin, then performs ablution well, then stands and prays two units of prayer, then asks Allah for forgiveness, except that Allah forgives him." (Abu Dawood)

This hadith has been declared authentic by Al-Albani (Sahih Abu Dawood: 1521).