الاسْتِغْفَارُ خَيْرُ مِدْرَارٍ : Repentance is the best source of wealth

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

In the name of ALLAH, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

الاسْتِغْفَارُ خَيْرُ مِدْرَارٍ

Repentance is the best source of wealth.

All praise is due to Allah, the Oft-Forgiving, Who opened the doors of Istighfar for His servants and made it the guidance for the righteous by night and day. And I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, Alone, without any partner. And I bear witness that our master and prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is the servant of Allah and His Messenger, the most frequent in seeking forgiveness among people, and the greatest in observing and feeling his Lord. And may peace and blessings be upon his family, all his companions, and everyone who follows his path until the Day of Judgment. This is the translation of the recited verse from Surah Az Zumr:

 أَمَّا بَعْدُ، فاعوذ باللہ من الشیطان الرجیم- بسم اللہ الرحمن الرحیم 

قُلۡ يَـٰعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسۡرَفُواْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ لَا تَقۡنَطُواْ مِن رَّحۡمَةِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَغۡفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ هُوَ ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

Say: "O 'Ibâdî (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allâh, verily Allâh forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Surah Az Zumr – 53

To proceed: Fear Allah, O servants of Allah, and seek forgiveness from your Lord, day and night, and fear Him secretly and openly; for by this, you will reach the level of piety and succeed in the Hereafter. ALLAH says in Surah Aal E Imran:

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِۦ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنتُم مُّسۡلِمُونَ

O you who believe! Fear Allâh (by doing all that He has ordered and by abstaining from all that He has forbidden) as He should be feared. [Obey Him, be thankful to Him, and remember Him always], and die not except in a state of Islâm [as Muslims (with complete submission to Allâh)].

Surah Aal E Imran – 102

O company of believers! Know that when Allah loves a servant, He makes His obedience, remembrance, supplication, and seeking forgiveness beloved to him. ALLAH says in Surah Al Ra’ad:

ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَتَطۡمَٮِٕنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكۡرِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۗ أَلَا بِذِڪۡرِ ٱللَّهِ تَطۡمَٮِٕنُّ ٱلۡقُلُوبُ

Those who believed (in the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism), and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allâh, Verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest.

Surah Al Ra’ad – 28

And people return to the Knower of the unseen. And Allah has ordained a great reward for remembrance due to its greatness and high status. ALLAH says in Surah Al Ahzab:

وَٱلذَّٲڪِرِينَ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرً۬ا وَٱلذَّٲڪِرَٲتِ أَعَدَّ ٱللَّهُ لَهُم مَّغۡفِرَةً۬ وَأَجۡرًا عَظِيمً۬ا

and the men and the women who remember Allâh much with their hearts and tongues. Allâh has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise).

Surah Al Ahzab – 35-Part

And among the types of remembrance that a person should be keen on is seeking forgiveness, for it is the guidance of the righteous and the way of the pious. They are not heedless of it, whether standing, sitting, or lying down. ALLAH says in Surah Aal E Imran:

الَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ قِيَامًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَى جُنُوبِهِمْ 

Those who remember Allâh (always, and in prayers) standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides.

Surah Aal E Imran – 191-Part

And when a believer seeks forgiveness from Allah, he obeys the commands of his Lord and adheres to the signs of his religion. So ALLAH, the Blessed and Exalted, says in Surah Al Baqara:

وَاسْتَغْفِرُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

Truly, Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most-Merciful.

Surah Al Baqara – 199-Part

And He praised those who seek forgiveness, saying in Surah Adh Dhariyat:

وَبِالْأَسْحَارِ هُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ

And in the hours before dawn, they were (found) asking (Allâh) for forgiveness.

Surah Adh Dhariyat – 18

and He said:

وَالْمُسْتَغْفِرِينَ بِالْأَسْحَارِ 

and beg Allâh's Pardon in the last hours of the night.

Surah Aal E Imran – 17-Part

So, if this is the case, then we must hasten to seek forgiveness, repenting from every sin, and returning to Allah, without delay.

O seekers of your Lord's forgiveness! Indeed, among the benefits and importance of seeking forgiveness is the forgiveness of sins:

وَمَن يَعْمَلْ سُوءًا أَوْ يَظْلِمُ نَفْسَهُ ثُمَّ يَسْتَغْفِرِ اللَّهَ يَجِدِ اللَّهَ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا

And whoever does evil or wrongs himself but afterwards seeks Allâh's Forgiveness, he will find Allâh Oft¬Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Surah An Nisa – 110-Part

Provided that the seeking of forgiveness, i.e., the request for forgiveness, is accompanied by sincere repentance, and not just a mere utterance. And among its virtues is that it brings provision and rain and removes calamities. ALLAH says in Surah Nooh:

فَقُلْتُ اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهُ كَانَ غَفَّارًا ، يُرْسِلِ السَّمَاءَ عَلَيْكُم مِّدْرَارًا ، وَيُمْدِدْكُمْ بِأَمْوَالٍ وَبَنِينَ وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ جَنَّاتٍ وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ أَنْهَرًا 

"I said (to them): 'Ask forgiveness from your Lord; Verily, He is Oft-Forgiving; (10) 'He will send rain to you in abundance; (11) 'And give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on your rivers.' " (12)

Surah Nooh – 10-12

And it is a cause for Allah's mercy, which is the greatest desire of the pious and the utmost hope of the righteous. Allah Almighty says in Surah Al Naml:

لَوْلَا تَسْتَغْفِرُونَ اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ

Why seek you not the Forgiveness of Allâh, that you may receive mercy?"

Surah Al Naml – 46-Part

and it is a cause for averting punishment. ALLAH says in Surah Al Anfal:

وَمَا كَانَ اللهُ مُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَهُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ 

And Allâh would not punish them while you (Muhammad SAW) are amongst them, nor will He punish them while they seek (Allâh's) Forgiveness (33)

Surah Al Anfal– 33-Part

and it brings a good life and good enjoyment. ALLAH says in Surah Hud:

وَأَنِ اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ ثُمَّ تُوبُوا إِلَيْهِ يُمَتِّعْكُم مَّتَاعًا حَسَنًا إِلَى أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى وَيُؤْتِ كُلَّ ذِي فَضْلٍ فَضْلَهُ

And (commanding you): "Seek the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance, that He may grant you good enjoyment, for a term appointed, and bestow His abounding Grace to every owner of grace (i.e. the one who helps and serves needy and deserving, physically and with his wealth, and even with good words).

Surah Hud– 3-Part

And it is relief for the distressed and comfort for the grieved. In the Hadith: "Whoever adheres to seeking forgiveness, Allah will make for him a way out from every distress and a relief from every hardship, and will provide for him from where he does not expect." This is because the one seeking forgiveness has acknowledged his mistake before his Lord and showed his need for the help of his Creator. Thus, he sought Allah's grace and care, and therefore he deserved goodness and satisfaction from his Lord.

So fear Allah, O servants of Allah, and make seeking forgiveness obligatory upon yourselves, and make it a continuous deed that you are keen on.

أقولُ مَا تَسْمَعُونَ، وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ العَظِيمَ لِي وَلَكُمْ، فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ يَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ، إِنَّهُ هُوَ الغَفُورُالرَّحِيمُ، وَادْعُوهُ يَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ، إِنَّهُ هُوَ البَرُّ الكَرِيمُ

I say what you hear, and I ask forgiveness from God Almighty for me and for you, so ask forgiveness from Him and He will forgive you, for He is the Forgiving and Merciful, and pray to Him and He will answer you, for He is The noble righteousness

=====================================================================

   الحَمْدُ للَّهِ رَاحِمِ المُسْتَغْفِرِينَ، وَهَادِي المُؤْمِنِينَ إِلَى الصِّرَاطِ المُسْتَقِيمِ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ سَيِّدَنَا وَنَبِيَّنَا مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولُهُ، كَانَ يَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ فِي اليَوْمِ مِئَةَ مَرَّةٍ، مُوَاظِبًا عَلَيْهِ، حَرِيصًا عَلَى الاسْتِمْرَارِ فِيهِ، صَلَوَاتُ اللهِ وَسَلامُهُ عَلَيْهِ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَأَصْحَابِهِ الطَّيِّبِينَ، وَمَنْ سَلَكَ مَسْلَكَهُمْ إلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ

All praise is due to Allah, the Merciful to those who seek forgiveness, and the Guide of the believers to the straight path. And I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, Alone, without any partner. And I bear witness that our master and prophet Muhammad is the servant of Allah and His Messenger. He used to seek forgiveness from Allah one hundred times a day, persevering in it, and keen on its continuity. And may peace and blessings be upon his pure family and companions, and upon everyone who follows his path until the Day of Judgment.

To proceed, O servants of Allah! Know that there are several forms of seeking forgiveness, among them are: "أستغفر الله" (I seek forgiveness from Allah), and "أستغفر الله العظيم الذي لا إله إلا هو الحي القيوم وأتوب إليه" (I seek forgiveness from Allah, the Most Great, whom there is no god but He, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer, and I repent to Him). And among them is the master of seeking forgiveness (Sayyid al-Istighfar):

اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، خَلَقْتَنِي، وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ، وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ، وَأَبُوءُ بِذَنْبِي، فَاغْفِرْ لِي؛ فَإِنَّهُ لا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ

(O Allah, You are my Lord, there is no god but You. You created me, and I am Your slave, and I am faithful to Your covenant and Your promise as much as I can. I seek refuge with You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge Your blessing upon me, and I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me, for none forgives sins except You.)

And among them is: "رب اغفر لي، وتب علي؛ إنك أنت التواب الرحيم" (My Lord, forgive me and accept my repentance; indeed, You are the Acceptor of repentance, the Most Merciful.)

And is it necessary for a person to seek forgiveness with these specific formulas? If he says these formulas, it is better and more virtuous. And if he says anything that indicates seeking forgiveness, Allah accepts it from him, for there is no barrier between Allah and His servants. The one seeking forgiveness from Allah only needs to supplicate with a humble and certain heart, for Allah is Generous and does not reject His seeker of forgiveness, and He is Bountiful, showering His repentance upon those who repent.

So this is our Lord - Exalted be His Names - addressing us to repent and return to Him, saying in Surah Al Noor:

وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

And all of you beg Allâh to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful.

Surah Al Noor – 31-Part

and He addresses everyone who has transgressed against themselves and committed sins to return to Him and not despair of His mercy. ALLAH says in Surah Az Zumr:

قُلۡ يَـٰعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسۡرَفُواْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ لَا تَقۡنَطُواْ مِن رَّحۡمَةِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَغۡفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ هُوَ ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

Say: "O 'Ibâdî (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allâh, verily Allâh forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Surah Az Zumr – 53

So fear Allah, O Muslims, and repent to Him with a sincere heart and a soul inclined towards goodness, seeking His pleasure, striving for His love and repentance.

هَذَا وَصَلُّوا وَسَلِّمُوا عَلَى إمَامِ الْمُرْسَلِينَ؛ مُحَمَّدٍ الهَادِي الأَمِينِ، فَقَدْ أَمَرَكُمْ رَبكُمْ بذَلكَ حينَ قَالَ

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَتَهُ ۥ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّۚ يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ صَلُّواْ عَلَيۡهِ وَسَلِّمُواْ تَسۡلِيمًا

Surah Al Ahzaab – 56

So pray and send peace upon the leader of the messengers, Muhammad, the guide and trustworthy. Your Lord has commanded you to do so when He said: “Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet. O you who have believed, send blessings upon him and salute him with a worthy salutation.” 

He says in Surah Al Ahzab: ALLAH and His kingdom send blessings upon the Prophet. O you who have believed, pray upon him and grant him peace.

Surah Al Ahzaab – 56

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وسَلِّم عَلَى نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ وسَلَّمتَ عَلَى نَبِيِّنَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ نَبِيِّنَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ، وَبَارِكْ عَلَى نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى نَبِيِّنَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ نَبِيِّنَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ فِي الْعَالَمِينَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ، وَارْضَ اللَّهُمَّ عَنْ خُلَفَائِهِ الرَّاشِدِينَ، وَعَنْ أَزْوَاجِهِ أُمَّهَاتِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَعَنْ سَائِرِ الصَّحَابَةِ أَجْمَعِينَ، وَعَنِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ، وعَنْ جَمْعِنَا هَذَا بِرَحْمَتِكَ يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ

O ALLAH, bless and grant peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon the family of our Prophet Muhammad, as You prayed and peace upon our Prophet Abraham and upon the family of our Prophet Abraham, and bless our Prophet Muhammad and the family of our Prophet Muhammad, just as You blessed our Prophet Abraham and the family of our Prophet Abraham in the worlds. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious. And be pleased, O Allah, with his Rightly-Guided Caliphs, and with his wives, the Mothers of the Believers, and with all the rest of the Companions, and with the believing men and women, and with this gathering of ours, by Your mercy, O Most Merciful of the merciful.

اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْ جَمْعَنَا هَذَا جَمْعًا مَرْحُوْمًا، وَاجْعَلْ تَفَرُّقَنَا مِنْ بَعْدِهِ تَفَرُّقًا مَعْصُوْمًا وَلا تَدَعْ فِينَا وَلا مَعَنَا شَقِيًّا وَلا مَحْرُومًا

Oh ALLAH, make this gathering of us a merciful gathering, and make our separation after it an infallible separation, and do not leave among us or with us any wretched or deprived.

اللَّهُمَّ أَعِزَّ الإِسْلامَ وَاهْدِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ إِلَى الْحَقِّ، وَاجْمعْ كَلِمَتَهُمْ عَلَى الخَيْرِ، وَاكْسِرْ شَوْكَةَ الظَّالِمِينَ، وَاكْتُبِ السَّلامَ وَالأَمْنَ لِعِبادِكَ أَجْمَعِينَ

Oh ALLAH, honor Islam, guide Muslims to the truth, unite their words in goodness, break the power of the oppressors, and grant peace and security to your servants. All of them. 

اللَّهُمَّ كُنْ عَوْنًا لإِخْوَانِنَا فِي أَرْضِ الأَقْصَى المُبَارَكِ، وَكُنْ مَعَهُمْ وَثَبِّـتْهُمْ وَارْبِطْ عَلَى قُلُوبِهِمْ وَصَبِّرْهُمْ، وَاخْذُلْ عَدُوَّكَ وَعَدُوَّهُمْ، وَاجْعَلِ الدَّائِرَةَ عَلَيْهِ يَا ذَا الجَلالِ وَالإِكْرَامِ

O Allah, be a helper to our brothers in the blessed land of Al-Aqsa, be with them, strengthen them, strengthen their hearts, and grant them patience. Disappoint Your enemy and their enemy, and turn the tables on him, O Possessor of Majesty and Honor.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ الثَّباتَ فِي الأَمْرِ، وَالعَزِيمَةَ عَلَى الرُّشْدِ، ونَسْأَلُكَ شُكْرَ نِعْمَتِكَ، وَحُسْنَ عِبَادَتِكَ، ونَسْأَلُكَ قُلُوبًا سَلِيمةً وأَلْسِنةً صَادِقةً، ونَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ خَيْرِ مَا تَعْلَمُ، وَنعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا تَعْلَمُ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُكَ لِمَا تَعْلَمُ

O Allah, we ask You for steadfastness in our affairs and determination to do what is right. We ask You for gratitude for Your blessings and proper worship of You. We ask You for sound hearts and truthful tongues. We ask You for the best of what You know and seek refuge in You from the worst of what You know. We seek Your forgiveness for what You know.

اللَّهُمَّ يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّومُ يَا ذَا الجَلالِ وَالإِكْرَامِ، لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ بِكَ نَستَجِيرُ وَبِرَحْمَتِكَ نَستَغِيثُ أَلاَّ تَكِلَنَا إِلَى أَنفُسِنَا طَرفَةَ عَينٍ، وَلاَ أَدنَى مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَأَصلِحْ لَنَا شَأْنَنَا كُلَّهُ يَا مُصلِحَ شَأْنِ الصَّالِحِينَ

Oh ALLAH, O Ever-Living, O Ever-Living, O Possessor of Majesty and Honour, there is no god but You, Glory be to You, by You we seek refuge and by Your mercy we seek help, that you will not leave us to Our souls are within the blink of an eye, and nothing is closer than that. And rectify for us all our affairs, O Reconciliator, the affairs of the righteous.

اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا احْفَظْ أَوْطَانَنَا وَأَعِزَّ سُلْطَانَنَا وَأَيِّدْهُ بِالْحَقِّ وَأَيِّدْ بِهِ الْحَقَّ يَا رَبَّ العَالَمِينَ، اللَّهُمَّ أَسْبِغْ عَلَيْهِ نِعمَتَكَ، وَأَيِّدْهُ بِنُورِ حِكْمَتِكَ، وَسَدِّدْهُ بِتَوفِيقِكَ، وَاحفَظْهُ بِعَينِ رعَايَتِكَ

Oh ALLAH, our Lord, protect our countries, honor our authority, support it with the truth, and support it with the truth, O Lord of the worlds. Oh God, bestow your blessing upon him, Support it with the light of your wisdom, guide it with your blessings, and protect it with your care.

اللَّهُمَّ أَنْزِلْ عَلَيْنَا مِنْ بَرَكَاتِ السَّمَاء وَأَخْرِجْ لَنَا مِنْ خَيْرَاتِ الأَرْضِ، وَبَارِكْ لَنَا في ثِمَارِنَا وَزُرُوعِنَا وكُلِّ أَرزَاقِنَا يَا ذَا الْجَلالِ وَالإِكْرَامِ

O ALLAH, send down upon us from the blessings of the sky and bring forth for us from the goodness of the earth, and bless for us our fruits and our crops and all our provisions, O Possessor of Majesty and Generosity.

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا في الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالمُؤْمِنَات، المُسْلِمِينَ وَالمُسْلِمَات، الأَحْيَاءِ مِنْهُمْ وَالأَمْوَاتِ، إِنَّكَ سَمِيعٌ قَرِيبٌ مُجِيبُ الدُّعَاءِ

O ALLAH, forgive the believing men and women, the Muslim men and women, the living and the dead among them. Indeed, You are the All-Hearing, the Near, the Answerer of supplications.

عِبَادَ الله

 إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأۡمُرُ بِٱلۡعَدۡلِ وَٱلۡإِحۡسَـٰنِ وَإِيتَآىِٕ ذِى ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ وَيَنۡهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلۡفَحۡشَآءِ وَٱلۡمُنڪَرِ وَٱلۡبَغۡىِ‌ۚ يَعِظُكُمۡ لَعَلَّڪُمۡ تَذَكَّرُونَ

O servants of ALLAH - Indeed, ALLAH commands justice and good deeds, and bestows favor on relatives, and forbids indecency. And the denier and the transgressor admonish you that you may remember.

Surah An Nahl-90

========================================================

وآخر دعوانا ان الحمد للہ رب العالمین- سبحان ربک رب العزة عما يصفون، وسلام على المرسلين، والحمد لله رب العالمين