This story is a reminder of the power of saying Istighfar (seeking forgiveness) frequently. Let’s remember that the Prophet (P.B.U.H) used to say Istighfar frequently during the day.

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Tafseer Al-Qurtubi states:

A man complained to Al-Hassan about a drought, and he said to him: “Pray to Allah for forgiveness.”

Another man complained to him of poverty and he said to him: “Pray to Allah to forgive you.”

Another man said to him: “Pray to Allah to bless me with a child.” He said: “Pray to Allah for forgiveness.”

Another complained to him that his garden was dry. He said to him: “Pray to Allah for forgiveness.”

He was asked about it and he said: “This is not my personal opinion, for Allah says in Surah Nooh (interpretation of the meaning): ‘Ask forgiveness from your Lord, verily, He is Oft Forgiving; He will send rain to you in abundance. And give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers.” Tafseer Al-Qurtubi (18/301-302)

One of the narrators of a Hadith was asked about the manner in which forgiveness is to be sought, to which he answered: “The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to say: ‘Astaghfirullah! Astaghfirullah! (I beseech Allah for forgiveness, I beseech Allah for forgiveness)’.

[Sahih Muslim].

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A very Wise Man once told a person: “Your mother may loose you, do you know what Astaghfar (asking for Allah’s forgiveness) is? Verily, it is a degree of Illiyyun (i.e. it is meant for the people of a high position) and it is a word standing on six supports:

• First, to repent over the past sins;
• Second, to make a firm determination never to revert to it;
• Third, to return to the creatures their rights (usurped in the past) so that you meet Allah Al-Mighty in such a state of purity that no one has any claims against you;
• Fourth, to fulfill every obligation which you ignored (in the past) so that you may now do justice with it;
• Fifth, to aim at the flesh grown as a result of unlawful earning, so that you may melt it by grief (of repentance) till the skin touches the bone and a new flesh grows between them;
• Sixth, to make the body taste the pain of obedience as you (previously) made it taste the sweetness of disobedience.

When you have done all these six things then you may say “ Astaghfirulla ”