Bamteli | İstiğfar | M. Fethullah Gülen | (2008/03/10)

Question: What does repentance mean? Is there a specific time for repentance, or is it always an expression of repentance left to consideration? Can a specific method be mentioned for repentance? Repentance means a person tormented by regret for a mistake they have made, asking God Almighty for forgiveness of their shortcomings and sins, and begging for pardon and forgiveness. (00:33) Feeling repentance and anguish for every sin, as if they were falling into Hell, is the hallmark of a believing heart. A heart not affected by sin is considered dead. A heart that does not react to sin and is not disturbed by mistakes is like a lifeless body. (03:58) The phrase "Astaghfirullah" means, "O Allah, I seek Your forgiveness and will continue to do so as long as I live. I do not find it sufficient to ask for forgiveness once; just as I ask You for forgiveness now, I will regret this mistake and seek Your forgiveness throughout my life. May You forgive me, my Lord!" (05:15) The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "How fortunate is the one who has many repentances in his record." (07:11) It is sunnah to say "Astaghfirullah" three times after every obligatory prayer. (08:33) Istighfar can be performed in almost any place, time, and position. However, the Quran and Hadith recommend and encourage supplication and repentance during the pre-dawn hours. This is specifically reminded of this when describing the people of Paradise and those who attain the blessings of the afterlife: "(Allah sees) those who are patient, truthful, and humble themselves before Him, and those who spend (their wealth) for the cause of Allah, and those who seek forgiveness in the pre-dawn hours." (Adh-Dhariyat, 51:17-18) (14:02) Since seeking forgiveness for sins is a beginning, it is a beginning; its ultimate form is repentance, inaba, and awba. (18:09) What should be the method of seeking forgiveness? (19:16)