The Prophet [SAW] said: "The best of prayers for forgiveness is for a person to say: 'Allahumma, anta rabbi, la ilaha illa anta, khalaqtani wa ana 'abduka, wa ana 'ala 'ahdika wa wa'dika mastata'tu, a'udhu bika min sharri ma sana'tu, abuw'u laka bidhanbi, wa abuw'u laka bini'matika 'alayya faghfirli, fa innahu la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa anta (O Allah, You are my Lord, there is no god but You. You have created me and I am Your slave and I am keeping my promise and covenant to You as much as I can. I seek refuge with You from the evil of what I do. I acknowledge Your blessing and I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me, for there is none who can forgive sin except You.)' If he says this in the morning, believing in it firmly, and dies on that day before evening comes, he will enter Paradise, and if he says it in the evening, believing firmly in it, and dies before morning comes, he will enter Paradise." Al-Walid bin Tha'labah contradicted him.
The Book of Seeking Refuge with Allah - Sunan an-Nasa'i 5522
This profound supplication, known as Sayyid al-Istighfar (The Master Prayer for Forgiveness), contains the essence of servitude to Allah. The believer acknowledges Allah's Lordship, his own creation and servitude, and his commitment to Allah's covenant. He seeks refuge from his own evil deeds and openly confesses both his sins and Allah's blessings upon him.
Scholarly Commentary
The condition of "believing firmly in it" requires complete conviction in the meaning of these words and sincerity in repentance. The promise of Paradise for one who recites this with true faith demonstrates the immense virtue of this comprehensive prayer of forgiveness.
The mention of Al-Walid bin Tha'labah's contradiction serves as an important authentication note, indicating the compiler's meticulous approach to hadith verification and preserving the chain of narration's integrity.
Key Benefits
This supplication combines acknowledgment of Allah's rights over the servant with the servant's duties toward Allah. It encompasses tawhid (monotheism), recognition of blessings, admission of shortcomings, and seeking protection from evil - making it the most complete form of seeking forgiveness.