Shaddad ibn Aws reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "The best way of asking forgiveness is 'O Allah, You are my Lord. There is no god but You. You created me and I am Your slave. I follow Your covenant and promise as much as I can. I acknowledge Your blessing and I confess to my wrong actions, so forgive me. Only You can forgive wrong actions. I seek refuge with You from the evil of what I have done.' If he says it in the evening and then dies, he will enter the Garden - or he said that he will be one of the people of the Garden. If he says it in the morning and dies that day - it is the same."
The Excellence of This Supplication
This comprehensive supplication, known as Sayyid al-Istighfar (The Master of Seeking Forgiveness), encompasses the highest form of repentance due to its profound theological foundations and complete submission to Divine Will.
Scholarly Commentary on the Text
"O Allah, You are my Lord" establishes the fundamental relationship of servitude (ubudiyyah) to Divine Lordship (rububiyyah), acknowledging Allah's complete sovereignty.
"There is no god but You" affirms pure tawhid, rejecting all false deities and directing worship solely to Allah.
"You created me and I am Your slave" recognizes both creation and the purpose of existence - to serve the Creator in complete submission.
"I follow Your covenant and promise as much as I can" demonstrates the believer's commitment to fulfill religious obligations within human capacity.
"I acknowledge Your blessing and I confess to my wrong actions" shows gratitude for divine favors while simultaneously admitting personal shortcomings.
Theological Significance
This supplication perfectly balances between hope in Allah's mercy and fear of His punishment, between recognition of divine blessings and confession of human failings.
The concluding phrase "Only You can forgive wrong actions" establishes that forgiveness is Allah's exclusive prerogative, eliminating any reliance on created beings.
The Promise of Paradise
The tremendous reward mentioned - entering Paradise if one dies after reciting this in morning or evening - indicates the comprehensive nature of this istighfar, which purifies the soul and prepares it for the eternal abode.
This demonstrates that sincere repentance accompanied by proper understanding of divine attributes can efface sins and elevate the believer's spiritual state.