Prayers for Forgiveness

by الحسن البصري, Abdur-Rahman Ibn Yusuf, al-Hasan al-Basri

The act of seeking forgiveness is what gives us the opening we need after feeling overwhelmed by the burden of sin. Forgiveness means a way out, a second chance, a feeling of hope with which to turn a new page in life. It is through the seeking of forgiveness that we begin to understand that there is no reason whatsoever to despair of the mercy of God. Islam encourages us to not run away in fear of Allah but rather to turn toward God the same way a baby would run into its mother's lap. So lovingly does God, Most High, address His sinful servants: "Say (to humanity, O Muhammad): O My servants—those (of you) who have committed (sins in great) excess against their own souls—never despair of the mercy of Allah! For, indeed, Allah forgives sins, one and all. Indeed, it is He who is the All-Forgiving, the Mercy-Giving. So turn in penitence to your Lord. And submit yourselves to Him." (The Qur'an 39:53-54)

This collection of seventy prayers for forgiveness [istighfarat] is attributed to one of the greatest spiritual luminaries of the past, Hasan al-Basri, and it has been presented here to offer a way for us to navigate through the complications and pitfalls of this life. Set out in Arabic script, with adjoining translation in English, this edition also includes transliteration of the prayers to facilitate reading for those who are not so well-versed in Arabic.

Genres: Islam, Religion, Spirituality

92 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2004

Reviews

[Hameed Muhammadian · Rating 5 out of 5]

أدعية تأخذ بمجامع القلب وتدمع العين ، تستشغر وأنت تتمتم بها معاني اسم الله الغفور ، تتحسس السكينة والرحمة وبرد الرضا تنزل على قلبك..
فاللهم اغفر ذنوبنا وكفر عنا سيئاتنا..
It is a very emtional book..
الحمد لله رب العالمين ، هذا الكتاب وظفه لنا شيخنا العارف باله كورد للاستغفار في شهر رجب ..
رضي الله عن ساداتنا أحباب الرحمن..

[Wayfarer · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are all in dire need for God's pardon - ever wondered how the chosen elect of God seek His forgiveness? This little book inspires a great deal; it contains the deepest-heartfelt personal entreaties of one of the foremost spiritual luminaries of the Mohammedan Nation - Hasan al-Basri (ra). Pardon is sought with the upmost degrees of humility, brokenness and love - one get's a real sense of this whilst engaging these devotional prayers of pardon. May God's mercy envelop us all, from Him we come and unto Him is our returning.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will really make you cry...it's as if someone looked in your heart, and elequently wrote prayers for God's forgiveness and pardon on your behalf. If these are prayers Hasan Al-Basri made, than what type of prayers should we be making...

[Eslam Sami · Rating 5 out of 5]

اللهم اجعله دعاء وافق اجابة ومسألة وافقت منك عطية انك على كل شيء قدير. امين

[Besim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A small collection of duas from this very early master of sufism shows you how the great saints used to approach Allah in their duas with such humility and humbleness despite (because) their higher levels of piety.

[Hasina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Dua compilation

[Heba · Rating 5 out of 5]

🍃 اللَّهُمَّ إني أستغفرك لكل ذنب يدعو إلى غضبك أو يُدني إلى سخطك ، أو يميل بي إلى ما نهيتني عنه ، أو يُباعدني عما دعوتني إليه..
🍃 اللَّهُمَّ إني أستغفرك لكل ذنب نسيته فأحصيته ، وتهاونت به فأثبته ، وجاهرت به فسترته عليّ ولو تٌبت إليك منه لغفرته...
🍃 اللَّهُمَّ إني أستغفرك لكل ذنب قدمتُ فيه شهوتي على طاعتك، وآثرت فيه محبتي على أمرك ، فأرضيتُ نفسي بغضبك وعرضتها لسخطك ، إذ نهيتني بنهيك ، وتقدمت إليّ فيه بإنذارك ، وأقمتُ الحجة عليّ فيه بوعيدك
🍃 اللَّهُمَّ إني أستغفرك لكل ذنب مقتُ عليه نفسي إجلالاً لك ، وأظهرت لك التوبة فقبلت ، وسألتك العفو فعفوت ، ثم عاد بي الهوى معاودته ، طمعاً في رحمتك وكرم عفوك ، ناسياُ لوعيدك ، راجياً لجميل وعدك...
فصلّ يارب وسلم وبارك على نبينا محمد وعلى آل نبينا محمد واغفر لي يا خير الغافرين...
اللَّهُمَّ اجعله دعاء وافق إجابة ، ومسألة وافقت منك عطية ، إنك على كل شيء قدير...آمييين

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A relief and a nourishment for the soul. Where I’d struggle to find the words to compose prayers that could voice the complexity of my thoughts and emotions, this little book gave me a collection that I could really connect with. Short and purposeful, I will be revisiting it regularly.

[هذي مكه · Rating 5 out of 5]

Q

[Lizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is somewhat redundant to add to the excellent reviews already posted on this book, but I highly reccomend it for everyone, everyone, everyone. If you read it sincerely and openly, it will widen and deepen your chest, it will induce humility and ecstasy, a slow, careful measure of the pleasure and nature and moments of every breath...you will be in a state - that state we look for, the state we miss when we reflect on spiritual highs we've had in the past, or sought in the past, or observed in others and desired so much. If you're looking for light, or feel desperate - if you need solace or grounding, read just one prayer in this book. It can't help but help. Even if you're happy...couch it in the reality of this: appreciation, seeking the mercy of the All-Merciful.

Rumi has a poem (that I can't begin to quote, please forgive me) in which he writes of the heart opening like a flower. I can't help but tie that image to this book. That is what happens when I read these prayers...it's involtunary, like a good mood in springtime.

[Amjad Tarsin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, used to ask Allah for forgiveness 100 times a day - not because he ever committed a sin, but because he felt that he was not able to truly worship Him as He deserved to be worshipped.

This book, written by a man who was taught by Imam Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, is essential for the sinner, the beginner, and even the saintly. I highly recommend it.

[Ana Banana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of little pocket of book one should read in the quiteness of the night. Alone and in reflection, it can bring tears to the heart.

This book also gives you an idea of the author, Hasan Al Basri R.A.

[Basmah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I carry this around in my bag all the time, it's really small and great for the commute to and from work. . .sometimes you just have to turn off that mp3 player, y'know?

[Mubeena]

Great companion on Hajj!

[Nur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great to add to your daily wird.

[Shamsa Abid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Truly very humbling. A good read for self-accountability and improvement.