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Istighfar: Difference between revisions
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The concept of asking for divine forgiveness has repeatedly appeared in the [[Qur'an]] in different forms. Istighfar does not have to occur at a special time or place and it is usually accepted by God. However, according to the Qur'an and [[hadith]]s, there are times and places in which istighfar will be more likely accepted by God. | The concept of asking for divine forgiveness has repeatedly appeared in the [[Qur'an]] in different forms. Istighfar does not have to occur at a special time or place and it is usually accepted by God. However, according to the Qur'an and [[hadith]]s, there are times and places in which istighfar will be more likely accepted by God. | ||
==Literal and | ==Literal and Technical Meanings== | ||
The word "istighfar" literally means to ask for forgiveness.<ref>Ḥimyarī, ''Shams al-ʿulūm'', vol. 8, p. 4982.</ref> It is from the Arabic root, "gh-f-r", {{ia|(غ-ف-ر)}} which originally means to cover.<ref>Ibn Manẓūr, ''Lisān al-ʿArab'', vol. 5, p. 26; Ibn Athīr, ''al-Nihāya'', vol. 3, p. 373.</ref> | The word "istighfar" literally means to ask for forgiveness.<ref>Ḥimyarī, ''Shams al-ʿulūm'', vol. 8, p. 4982.</ref> It is from the Arabic root, "gh-f-r", {{ia|(غ-ف-ر)}} which originally means to cover.<ref>Ibn Manẓūr, ''Lisān al-ʿArab'', vol. 5, p. 26; Ibn Athīr, ''al-Nihāya'', vol. 3, p. 373.</ref> Technically, it means to verbally or practically ask God to forgive one's sins in order to be immune to the pernicious effects of the sins and [[reward and punishment|divine punishment]].<ref>Ibn ʿĀshūr, ''al-Taḥrīr wa l-tanwīr'', vol. 3, p. 223; Rāghib, ''Mufradāt alfāẓ al-Qurʾān'', p. 609.</ref> Some scholars have taken some occurrences of the word "istighfar" in the Qur'an to refer to believing,<ref>Zamakhsharī, ''al-Kashshāf'', vol. 2, p. 402.</ref> converting to Islam,<ref>Fakhr al-Rāzī, ''al-Tafsīr al-kabīr'', vol. 15, p. 158.</ref> or saying one's prayers.<ref>Ṭabrisī, ''Majmaʿ al-bayān'', vol. 2, p. 714.</ref> These are instances of the practical sort of istighfar. | ||
Istighfar is either a verbal expression, such as "{{ia|استغفر اللّه}}" (I ask for God's forgiveness), or a deed, such as doing something that leads one to be forgiven by God. The verbal istighfar is discussed in [[jurisprudence]] in issues such as [[tahara]], [[prayer]], [[fasting]], [[hajj]], commerce, [[zihar]] and [[expiation]]. | Istighfar is either a verbal expression, such as "{{ia|استغفر اللّه}}" (I ask for God's forgiveness), or a deed, such as doing something that leads one to be forgiven by God. The verbal istighfar is discussed in [[jurisprudence]] in issues such as [[tahara]], [[prayer]], [[fasting]], [[hajj]], commerce, [[zihar]] and [[expiation]]. | ||
==Use of Istighfar in The Qur'an== | ==Use of Istighfar in The Qur'an== | ||
The concept of asking for divine forgiveness has appeared in the Qur'an 68 times: 43 of these are different forms of "istighfar" (in the form of "istif'al"), 17 in the form "ighfir" (the imperative form, meaning forgive), | The concept of asking for divine forgiveness has appeared in the Qur'an 68 times: 43 of these are different forms of "istighfar" (in the form of "istif'al"), 17 in the form "ighfir" (the imperative form, meaning forgive), three in the form of "yaghfir" (He forgives), two in the form of "taghfir" (you forgive), and one in the form of "maghfira" (forgiveness).<ref>ʿAbd al-Bāqī, ''al-Muʿjam al-mufahras'', p. 634.</ref> In two [[verses]] of the Qur'an, the divine order for forgiveness has appeared with the word "hitta" (Arabic:{{ia| حطة}}): God issued an order for the [[Israelites]] to be forgiven.<ref>Qurʾān, 2:58; 7:161.</ref> | ||
* The [[Qur'an 11]]:3: | * The [[Qur'an 11]]:3: | ||
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==Necessity and Importance== | ==Necessity and Importance== | ||
The necessity of istighfar is obvious from the invitation to istighfar in many Qur'anic verses<ref>ʿAbd al-Bāqī, ''al-Muʿjam al-mufahras'', p. 634.</ref> and reproaching those who ignore it in some others (such as [[Qur'an 5]]:74). | The necessity of istighfar is obvious from the invitation to istighfar in many Qur'anic verses<ref>ʿAbd al-Bāqī, ''al-Muʿjam al-mufahras'', p. 634.</ref> and reproaching those who ignore it in some others (such as [[Qur'an 5]]:74). Ordinary people need to ask God for forgiveness constantly, because they are prone to sin and error. On the other hand, no one can do justice to divine rights; everyone meets divine commands in terms appropriate to the extent of their knowledge. Therefore, even true pious people are even ashamed of their worships and hence need to ask for divine forgiveness.<ref>''Nahj al-balāgha'', sermon 193.</ref> | ||
The importance of istighfar can be explained in different respects: | The importance of istighfar can be explained in different respects: | ||
* The [[Prophet Muhammad (s)]] and other prophets (a) recommended istighfar; all people are commanded to ask for divine forgiveness, as implied by | * The [[Prophet Muhammad (s)]] and other prophets (a) recommended istighfar; all people are commanded to ask for divine forgiveness, as implied by eight Qur'anic verses. Nearly 30 verses of the Qur'an talk about prophets themselves asking for divine forgiveness and the Prophet (s) himself was ordered in five Qur'anic verses to ask for divine forgiveness. | ||
* The [[angel]]s ask for the forgiveness of the believers<ref>Qurʾān, 40:7.</ref> and people on the Earth.<ref>Qurʾān, 42:5.</ref> | * The [[angel]]s ask for the forgiveness of the believers<ref>Qurʾān, 40:7.</ref> and people on the Earth.<ref>Qurʾān, 42:5.</ref> | ||
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*''' Obligatory istighfar: ''' one case in which istighfar is obligatory, is [[hajj]]; when the [[muhrim]] engages in a quarrel or commits a vice less than three times.<ref>''Manāsik-i ḥajj'', issue 372, 377.</ref> Another case is when one is required to give expiation (the emancipation of a slave, fasting for two months or providing food or clothes for 60 people in need) but one cannot provide any of them.<ref>Najafī, ''Jawāḥir al-kalām'', vol. 33, p. 295.</ref> It is said that if one cannot provide the expiation for [[zihar]], then istighfar will be obligatory, though there is a dispute over the issue.<ref>Najafī, ''Jawāḥir al-kalām'', vol. 33, p. 160-163.</ref> It is a matter of controversy whether istighfar is obligatory in saying prayers for a dead person<ref>Najafī, ''Jawāḥir al-kalām'', vol. 12, p. 34-47, 88.</ref> as well as istighfar for a person about whom one has committed [[ghiba]] (or backbiting).<ref>Najafī, ''Jawāḥir al-kalām'', vol. 22, p. 72.</ref> | *''' Obligatory istighfar: ''' one case in which istighfar is obligatory, is [[hajj]]; when the [[muhrim]] engages in a quarrel or commits a vice less than three times.<ref>''Manāsik-i ḥajj'', issue 372, 377.</ref> Another case is when one is required to give expiation (the emancipation of a slave, fasting for two months or providing food or clothes for 60 people in need) but one cannot provide any of them.<ref>Najafī, ''Jawāḥir al-kalām'', vol. 33, p. 295.</ref> It is said that if one cannot provide the expiation for [[zihar]], then istighfar will be obligatory, though there is a dispute over the issue.<ref>Najafī, ''Jawāḥir al-kalām'', vol. 33, p. 160-163.</ref> It is a matter of controversy whether istighfar is obligatory in saying prayers for a dead person<ref>Najafī, ''Jawāḥir al-kalām'', vol. 12, p. 34-47, 88.</ref> as well as istighfar for a person about whom one has committed [[ghiba]] (or backbiting).<ref>Najafī, ''Jawāḥir al-kalām'', vol. 22, p. 72.</ref> | ||
*''' Forbidden istighfar: ''' according to the Qur'an, it is forbidden to ask for | *''' Forbidden istighfar: ''' according to the Qur'an, it is forbidden to ask for forgiveness for pagans and polytheists<ref>Qurʾān, 9:113.</ref> as well as hypocrites.<ref>Najafī, ''Jawāḥir al-kalām'', vol. 12, p. 47-51.</ref> | ||
==Manners | ==Manners== | ||
A person was repeating the sentence {{ia| استغفر الله}} (I ask God to forgive me) before [[Imam 'Ali (a)]]. The Imam (a) told him there are six conditions to be met in order for an istighfar to be valid, and that it is only then that the recitation of such a sentence could help: | A person was repeating the sentence {{ia| استغفر الله}} (I ask God to forgive me) before [[Imam 'Ali (a)]]. The Imam (a) told him there are six conditions to be met in order for an istighfar to be valid, and that it is only then that the recitation of such a sentence could help: | ||
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* Remembering God. | * Remembering God. | ||
==Preparations | ==Preparations== | ||
Here some factors that prepare one for istighfar: | Here some factors that prepare one for istighfar: | ||
{{col-begin|2}} | {{col-begin|2}} | ||
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{{end}} | {{end}} | ||
==Acceptance | ==Acceptance by God== | ||
God will definitely accept one's istighfar, because: | God will definitely accept one's istighfar, because: | ||
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refers to the fact that the Prophet [[Joseph (a)]] (Yūsuf) will ask for divine forgiveness in the dawn. | refers to the fact that the Prophet [[Joseph (a)]] (Yūsuf) will ask for divine forgiveness in the dawn. | ||
==Effects | ==Effects== | ||
According to the Qur'an and [[hadiths]], istighfar has many constructive, worthwhile effects, such as the reformation of the community, divine [[blessing]]s, and immunity to this-worldly and [[afterlife]] [[reward and punishment|divine punishment]].<ref>Qurʾān, 71:10-12; 11:52; 7:96; 8:33.</ref> | According to the Qur'an and [[hadiths]], istighfar has many constructive, worthwhile effects, such as the reformation of the community, divine [[blessing]]s, and immunity to this-worldly and [[afterlife]] [[reward and punishment|divine punishment]].<ref>Qurʾān, 71:10-12; 11:52; 7:96; 8:33.</ref> | ||
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===Forgiving One's Sins=== | ===Forgiving One's Sins=== | ||
According to the [[Qur'an 71]]:10, the Prophet [[Noah (a)]] tells his people to ask for divine forgiveness, and then the verse goes on "He is the forgiver (ghaffar)". The divine attribute, Ghaffar (forgiver), as well as others | According to the [[Qur'an 71]]:10, the Prophet [[Noah (a)]] tells his people to ask for divine forgiveness, and then the verse goes on "He is the forgiver (ghaffar)". The divine attribute, Ghaffar (forgiver), as well as others such as Rahim (Merciful) and Wadud (loving), imply that God forgives the sins and gives His mercy to people.<ref>Ṭabarī, ''Jamiʿ al-bayān'', vol. 5, p. 371.</ref> According to a [[hadith]], istighfar cleans the effects of the sins from one's soul.<ref>Ibn Fahd al-Ḥillī, ''ʿUddat al-dāʿī'', p. 265.</ref> | ||
===Increase of Livelihood and Children=== | ===Increase of Livelihood and Children=== | ||
According to the Qur'an 71:11-12,{{enote|He will send for you abundant rains from the sky (11), and aid you with wealth and sons, and provide you with gardens and provide you with streams.}} istighfar has as an effect the abundance of rains, removes poverty and helps increase one's livelihood. According to hadiths, istighfar leads to the increase of one's children. | According to the Qur'an 71:11-12,{{enote|He will send for you abundant rains from the sky (11), and aid you with wealth and sons, and provide you with gardens and provide you with streams.}} istighfar has as an effect the abundance of rains, removes poverty and helps increase one's livelihood. According to hadiths, istighfar leads to the increase of one's children. | ||
=== | ===Welfare and Longevity=== | ||
Istighfar helps one achieve a good life and wealth, | Istighfar helps one achieve a good life and wealth, welfare, security, and respect.<ref>Fakhr al-Rāzī, ''al-Tafsīr al-kabīr'', vol. 30, p. 137; Ṭabrisī, ''Majmaʿ al-bayān'', vol. 10, p. 543.</ref> According to the Qur'an, "ask forgiveness of your Lord, then turn to Him; He will provide you with a goodly provision to an appointed term and bestow His grace on every one endowed with grace". The 'good provision' in the verse has been interpreted as wealth and good material life. However, some people interpreted it as longevity, satisfaction, and turning away from people to God.<ref>Qurṭubī, ''al-Jāmiʿ li-aḥkām al-Qurʾān'', vol. 9, p. 4.</ref> According to a report, by an appeal to the above Qur'anic verse, [[Hasan al-Basri]] advised people who suffer from drought, poverty, and lack of children to ask for divine forgiveness.<ref>Ṭabrisī, ''Majmaʿ al-bayān'', vol. 10, p. 543.</ref> | ||
==Tawassul in Istighfar== | ==Tawassul in Istighfar== | ||
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* Some verses forbid the Prophet (s) and [[believer]]s to ask God to forgive polytheists; this implies that it is permissible to ask Him to forgive believers (e.g. Qur'an 9:113 {{enote|The Prophet and the faithful may not plead for the forgiveness of the polytheists, even if they should be [their] relatives, after it has become clear to them that they will be the inmates of hell.}}). | * Some verses forbid the Prophet (s) and [[believer]]s to ask God to forgive polytheists; this implies that it is permissible to ask Him to forgive believers (e.g. Qur'an 9:113 {{enote|The Prophet and the faithful may not plead for the forgiveness of the polytheists, even if they should be [their] relatives, after it has become clear to them that they will be the inmates of hell.}}). | ||
* Some verses ([[Qur'an 12]]:97-98 {{enote|They said, ‘Father! Plead [with Allah] for forgiveness of our sins! We have indeed been erring (97),He said, ‘I shall plead with my Lord to forgive you; indeed He is the All-forgiving, the All-merciful.’}}) imply that it is permissible to resort to others (such as prophets or Imams) to ask for divine forgiveness, because when the Prophet [[Jacob (a)]] | * Some verses ([[Qur'an 12]]:97-98 {{enote|They said, ‘Father! Plead [with Allah] for forgiveness of our sins! We have indeed been erring (97),He said, ‘I shall plead with my Lord to forgive you; indeed He is the All-forgiving, the All-merciful.’}}) imply that it is permissible to resort to others (such as prophets or Imams) to ask for divine forgiveness, because when the Prophet [[Jacob (a)|Jacob's (a)]] children asked him to ask God to forgive them, he promised them to ask Him so in the future. | ||
==Istighfar of The Prophets (a) and Other Infallibles (a)== | ==Istighfar of The Prophets (a) and Other Infallibles (a)== | ||
Most of the relevant Qur'anic verses are concerned with the istighfar of ordinary people. However, in one case the Qur'an refers to the istighfar of " | Most of the relevant Qur'anic verses are concerned with the istighfar of ordinary people. However, in one case the Qur'an refers to the istighfar of "ribbiyyun", by which are meant "people who do not engage themselves with anything other than God".<ref>Ṭabāṭabāyī, ''al-Mīzān'', vol. 4, p. 41.</ref> And some verses talk about the istighfar of the prophets and angels. | ||
Since [[prophets]] (a) are [[ | Since [[prophets]] (a) are [[Infallible]], their istighfar does not mean asking God to forgive their sins.<ref>Ṭabāṭabāyī, ''al-Mīzān'', vol. 6, p. 368; vol. 18, p. 254.</ref> According to Shiites and many [[jurists]] from [[Maliki]], [[Hanafi]], and [[Shafi'i]] schools, all prophets are infallible and they never commit even minor sins, since all people are commissioned to follow their lead, which is incompatible with their being fallible.<ref>Qurṭubī, ''al-Jāmiʿ li-aḥkām al-Qurʾān'', vol. 1, p. 211-212; Ṭabāṭabāyī, ''al-Mīzān'', vol. 6, p. 367.</ref> Moreover, the Qur'an has described prophets as "mukhlasun".<ref>Qurʾān, 38:46; 12:24; 19:51.</ref> According to the [[Qur'an 38]]:82-83, there is no way for the [[Satan]] to tempt and deceive "mukhlasun" (dedicated servants). Thus istighfar in the case of prophets (a) should be explained in different ways. | ||
===Istighfar of Prophets (a)=== | ===Istighfar of Prophets (a)=== | ||
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===Ibrahim's (a) Istighfar for Azar=== | ===Ibrahim's (a) Istighfar for Azar=== | ||
After prohibiting istighfar for polytheists, the Qur'an refers to why the Prophet [[Ibrahim (a)]] asked God to forgive [[Azar]]; according to the verse [[Qur'an 9]]:114,{{enote|Abraham’s pleading forgiveness for his father was only to fulfill a promise he had made him. So when it became manifest to him that he was an enemy of God, he repudiated him. Indeed Abraham was most plaintive and forbearing.}} he asked God for Azar's forgiveness only when he still hoped that Azar would believe in God; thus he promised him to | After prohibiting istighfar for polytheists, the Qur'an refers to why the Prophet [[Ibrahim (a)]] asked God to forgive [[Azar]]; according to the verse [[Qur'an 9]]:114,{{enote|Abraham’s pleading forgiveness for his father was only to fulfill a promise he had made him. So when it became manifest to him that he was an enemy of God, he repudiated him. Indeed Abraham was most plaintive and forbearing.}} he asked God for Azar's forgiveness only when he still hoped that Azar would believe in God; thus he promised him to ask for his forgiveness. However, when he realized that Azar was an enemy of God, he dissociated himself from him.<ref>Majlisī, ''Biḥār al-anwār'', vol. 11, p. 77, 88; vol. 11, p. 15.</ref> | ||
==Ineffectiveness of istighfar for hypocrites== | ==Ineffectiveness of istighfar for hypocrites== | ||