How to Ask Allah for Forgiveness

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: March 12, 2023 References Approved

It’s impossible for anyone to remain free of sin or never make a mistake. However, if you want to be a good Muslim, it’s important to reflect whenever you do something wrong, ask Allah for forgiveness, and work on not repeating the behavior again. You can also increase the power of your prayers for forgiveness by asking at optimal times and using special words. If you want to do even more to seek forgiveness, you can perform acts of worship, kindness and charity to offset your sin and help purify your heart.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Making a Sincere Request

1
Identify your mistake or sin. It is very important to realize when you have strayed from Allah's guidance. Identify what you did wrong, why you did it, why Allah has forbidden it and how it has affected you and other people. Clear your mind, think openly, and acknowledge your mistakes. Take responsibility for your actions.
- Remember that you have the ability to make choices and each choice you make will either please or displease Allah and therefore has consequences, either positive or negative.
- Study the rules of behaviour set out in the Shariah, so that you know the difference between right and wrong from an Islamic perspective.
- Sins create a veil over the heart, which can separate you from Allah. However, by asking for forgiveness, you can undo this separation.
- Even if your mistake seems minor to you, acknowledge it and ask Allah to forgive you. This will allow you to learn from it and use it to improve yourself.
2
Ask for forgiveness because you really want to change for the better. Do not ask for forgiveness because other people are pressuring you to do so. Many people may guide you and tell you what's right and what's not, and if they know that you have committed a sin, suggest you ask for forgiveness. But asking for forgiveness won't have any effect unless you sincerely regret your action and seek forgiveness.
- Sincerity means truly regretting what you have done wrong, feeling sorrow for the displeasure that you have brought Allah and fearing His punishment. Crying during prayer is a good sign of sincerity.
- Praying for forgiveness multiple times every day is part of the routine of worship of all Muslims. This will help to ensure that you’re always reflecting on your actions and seeking to improve yourself.
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3
Promise not to repeat the mistake with deep sincerity. You can't ask for forgiveness with the vague intention of not doing it again. Make sure that you are dedicated to avoiding the behavior in the future before you ask for forgiveness. Otherwise, asking for forgiveness is an insincere act and you may receive Allah's punishment instead.
- For example, if you lied about something to your brother, reflect on why this was wrong and commit to never doing it again.
- If the sin involved immoral behavior, then take clear steps to avoid repeating it, such as lowering your gaze, avoiding triggers and fasting.
Tip: Don’t repeat the same sins. Even minor sins can lead to major sins, and that may even lead to leaving the fold of Islam.
4
Recognize if someone else was also affected by your sins or mistakes. Take some time to reflect on whether your actions hurt other people, and if so, who those people were and what harm you may have caused them. Once you identify who may have been harmed by your actions, you will need to ask them for their forgiveness, too.
- If the sin violated the rights of any other person, like right of money or property, then it is necessary to restore their rights. For example, if you stole something from someone, give it back to them.
- If the sin consisted of slandering someone, then seek his forgiveness with all your heart. Apologize to them for what you said and ask them to forgive you.
5
Be grateful that you can ask for forgiveness. Never take Allah’s forgiveness for granted. Entering the period of repentance without being committed to your God won't do any good. Have belief in Allah and pray that he will make things right. Remember, the Quran says:
- “Indeed Allah loves those who repent and purify themselves.“ [Surah Al Baqarah, 2:222]
- "Then Adam received from his Lord [some] words, and He accepted his repentance. Indeed, it is He who is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful." [2:37]^{[1]
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- He said, "I will ask forgiveness for you from my Lord. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful." [12:98]^{[2]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Finding the Right Time and Way to Pray

1
Perform Salah. Do your prayers with utmost sincerity and reverence toward Allah. Perform the five compulsory salaat. If you are male, try to do them at a mosque. The calm and devoted environment might help you. Do not hesitate from performing additional Sunnah (recommended) and Nafl (voluntary) rakats. They will count heavily in your favour, especially if you do them consistently.
- Salaat is the key to developing a close connection with Allah and must be prioritized within the daily schedule of every Muslim.
2
Ask Allah for forgiveness after the salaat (prayers). After completing your salaat is a good time to ask forgiveness. Offer your prayers at the right time and with the right attitude and focus.
- Allah says in the Quran, “And perform Salaat, at the two ends of the day and in some hours of the night [i.e. the five compulsory Salaat].” (Hud 11:114).
Tip: Praying two ra'kaah of Salaah attentively can also aid your seeking of forgiveness.The Prophet (S.A.W.S) said, “He who performs ablution properly, then prays any two rak’aah (of salaah) without being heedless, will get all his previous sins forgiven.” (Ahmad).
3
Continue to ask Allah for forgiveness day and night. Depending on the severity of your sin, you might not be forgiven in a day. Seeking forgiveness is a slow process of improving yourself from within and righting the wrong that you have done to Allah. Seeking forgiveness could be a long, tiring path, but this will be to your benefit in the long run as it may save you from the Hellfire.
- The Prophet (S.A.W.S) said: “Allah, the Exalted, will continue to stretch out His Hand in the night so that the sinners of the day may repent, and continue to stretch His Hand in the daytime so that the sinners of the night may repent, until the sun rises from the west (the start of Day of Judgment)”. [Sahih Muslim].^{[3]
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- Always be mindful of the Day of Judgment when you will have to account to Allah for your actions and your fate in the afterlife will be determined.
- Familiarise yourself with the descriptions of Jannah (Paradise) and Jahannam (Hellfire) from the Qur'an and authentic ahadith and use these to motivate yourself to be a better Muslim.
4
Use Allah's different names that attribute his kindness and forgiveness. The most suitable of the names include Al-’Afuww (He who pardons), Al-Ghafoor (He who forgives), and Al-Ghaffaar (The Oft-Forgiving). Using one or all of these names might help to increase the power of your prayers.^{[4]
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- “And Allah has the most excellent and perfect names, so worship and invoke Him by them” (Al-A’raaf, 7:180)
5
Recite the duas to seek forgiveness. The duas are prayers of supplication. You can recite duas as a special way to ask Allah for forgiveness. Some options include:
- "They said, "Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers."" [7:23]^{[5]
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- Recite Astaghfirullah constantly. Say it 3 times after every salat and an absolute minimum of 100 times a day. It means, "I seek forgiveness from Allah". Many Muslims recite "Astaghfirullah" thousands of times as part of the self-healing process after sinning.
- Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Whoever says, 'Subhan Allah wa bihamdihi,' 100 times a day, will be forgiven all his sins even if they were as much as the foam of the sea. [Sahih al-Bukhari 6405]^{[6]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Acts to Seek Forgiveness

1
Plan to fast during the month of Ramadan. It is the most important time for any Muslim to show his devotion towards Allah. Moreover, it is considered the “month of forgiveness.” Delve deep into sincerity and devotion during this time to seek forgiveness for your sins.
- Prophet (S.A.W.S) said: “The five daily prayers and one Jumu’ah to the next, and one Ramadan to the next Ramadan, is expiation for what lies between them as long as one refrains from the major sins.” [Sahih Muslim]
2
Perform good deeds to erase bad deeds. Focus on doing good deeds that Allah appreciates. Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds.[11:114]^{[7]
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- For example, you could help your neighbor carry in a heavy piece of furniture, give a ride to a coworker whose car is in the shop, or buy a meal for a homeless person.
- Reading Qur'an, making dua and dhikr will all bring great rewards and help you develop the focus on the afterlife that will keep you away from sin.
- Voluntary fasting will help you to appreciate Allah's gifts more and build resolve to live a good life in the obedience of Allah.
3
Do charity (Zakat). Zakat is an effective way to offset your sins, which will not only make you feel better about yourself, but will also make someone else's life better. Donate to a charity regularly or offer your time if you cannot afford to give money, such as by volunteering at a local soup kitchen.^{[8]
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Tip: Keep in mind that your desire to help others is more important than the amount you give. If you can only afford to donate $1 (USD), then that’s fine!
4
Perform Hajj if you’ve committed a major sin and are able to go. A hajj is a religious pilgrimage. It is said that all your sins would be washed away when you go on a hajj for the first time. However, a spiritual pilgrimage is a big undertaking, so this might not be a realistic option for everyone.^{[9]
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- This might be something you’d do if you’ve committed a major sin and are seeking total spiritual purification.
5
Do little things that can help you when seeking forgiveness. Small moments of mindfulness during prayer, surrounding yourself with the right people, and even how you dress may also affect how Allah receives your request for forgiveness. Look for minor things you can do to bolster your faith.
- Saying "Ameen." The Prophet (S.A.W.S) said, “When the Imaam says ‘Ameen’, say ‘Ameen’, because he who coincides with the angels when saying Ameen will get all his previous sins forgiven.” (Al-Bukhaari & Muslim).
- Surround yourself and attend Islamic study circles with people mindful of Allah. It is very important to be away from bad company or any person who distracts you from the holy path of Islam.
- Following the Islamic dress code will help you remember Allah and remind you of the need to stay within the limits set out in the Shariah.

Community Q&A

Question

I did some sins that I hate myself for to this day. Is possible for me to be baptized to wash away my sins. Or is praying the best?

Community Answer

To get forgiveness, as said in the Qur'an, praying and asking Allah is the best. Make sure you do not commit that sin again, though.
Question

I watched porn, is Allah going to forgive me, and do I have to let someone know that I committed these sins?

Community Answer

Allah is more merciful than anyone, he will forgive. To let yourself be safe from Shaitaan's trap, ask Allah for forgiveness and promise to never commit that mistake again! You should never expose your sins, keep it with Allah and he will forgive you.
Question

I always make a promise to Allah but I still broke it. Can he still forgive me? What do I do?

Community Answer

Allah will keep forgiving you as long as you ask for forgiveness.