Meaning
Astaghfirullah
أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ
astaghfirullāh · as-TAGH-fi-rul-lah
Astaghfirullah means "I seek forgiveness from Allah." Muslims say it after a mistake, three times after every prayer, and as daily dhikr to keep returning to Allah.
Alternative Spelling
Astaghfirullaah / Astagfirullah / Astaghfirullahi / Estaghfirullah / Astaghfirullah al Azeem / Astaghfirullahal Adheem / Astaghferullah
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What does Astaghfirullah mean?
Astaghfirullah (أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ) means "I seek forgiveness from Allah." It is a complete sentence in two words: astaghfiru, "I ask for forgiveness," and Allah. Saying it is called istighfar. Muslims use it after a mistake, after every prayer, and throughout the day as a short, constant way of turning back to Allah.
The verb is in the present tense, so the sense is ongoing: "I am asking You to forgive me," not a single request made once and finished.
For a longer guide to making istighfar a daily habit, see what Astaghfirullah means in daily life.
Astaghfirullah word by word
| Arabic | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| أَسْتَغْفِرُ | astaghfiru | I seek forgiveness (form X verb: to ask for ghufran) |
| اللَّهَ | Allāha | Allah (the one being asked) |
| الْعَظِيمَ | al-ʿaẓīm | the Magnificent (added in the longer form) |
| وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ | wa atūbu ilayh | and I repent to Him |
The root is gh-f-r (غ ف ر). Its basic meaning is to cover and protect, the way a helmet, a mighfar, shields the head. So maghfirah is not only erasing a sin but covering it, so that it is not exposed and its harm does not reach you. The same root gives three Names of Allah: al-Ghafur, al-Ghaffar and Ghafir. You can browse every Quranic word from this root in the Quranic Arabic Corpus dictionary.
When do Muslims say Astaghfirullah?
- Straight after a slip. Losing your temper, a harsh word, a missed opportunity. Say it the moment you notice, then carry on.
- After every obligatory prayer. The Prophet ﷺ said "Astaghfirullah" three times as soon as he finished salah, then "Allahumma antas-Salam..." (Sahih Muslim 591). See the full sequence in dhikr after salah.
- Morning and evening. Istighfar is part of the daily morning and evening adhkar, usually through Sayyid al-Istighfar.
- Before dawn. The Quran praises "those who seek forgiveness before dawn" (Quran 3:17), which is why many make istighfar in the last third of the night.
- When hearing something wrong. In everyday speech, especially in Arabic and South Asian households, "Astaghfirullah!" is also said in shock or disapproval. This is a cultural usage rather than a specific Sunnah, but it carries the same meaning: distancing yourself from what is wrong.
- In hardship. Prophet Nuh told his people that istighfar brings rain, wealth and children (Quran 71:10-12).
Astaghfirullah in the Quran and Sunnah
The Quran promises forgiveness to anyone who asks: "And whoever does a wrong or wrongs himself but then seeks forgiveness of Allah will find Allah Forgiving and Merciful." (Quran 4:110)
It describes the people of taqwa as those who, "when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves, remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins, and who can forgive sins except Allah?" (Quran 3:135)
Even at the Prophet's greatest victory, he was told: "Then exalt [Him] with praise of your Lord and ask forgiveness of Him. Indeed, He is ever Accepting of Repentance." (Quran 110:3)
The Prophet ﷺ said: "By Allah! I ask for forgiveness from Allah and turn to Him in repentance more than seventy times a day." (Sahih al-Bukhari 6307) In another narration: "O people, seek repentance from Allah. Verily, I seek repentance from Him a hundred times a day." (Sahih Muslim 2702)
The companions even counted it. Ibn Umar said they would count the Prophet ﷺ saying "My Lord, forgive me and pardon me" a hundred times in one gathering (Sunan Abi Dawud 1516, graded sahih).
A popular hadith says that whoever constantly seeks forgiveness will be given a way out of every distress (Sunan Abi Dawud 1518). Its chain is graded da'if by Al-Albani and others, so quote it with that caveat. The meaning is supported by Quran 71:10-12 above.
Short and long forms of istighfar
| Form | Arabic | Meaning | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Astaghfirullah | أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ | I seek forgiveness from Allah | Said 3 times after salah, Muslim 591 |
| Astaghfirullah wa atubu ilayh | أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ | I seek Allah's forgiveness and repent to Him | Bukhari 6307 |
| Rabbighfir li wa tub alayya | رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَتُبْ عَلَيَّ | My Lord, forgive me and accept my repentance | Abu Dawud 1516 |
| Astaghfirullahal-Azim... | أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الْعَظِيمَ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيَّ الْقَيُّومَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ | I seek forgiveness from Allah the Magnificent, besides whom there is no god, the Living, the Sustainer, and I repent to Him | Tirmidhi 3577 |
| Sayyid al-Istighfar | اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ... | The "master" of all istighfar | Bukhari 6306 |
The Prophet ﷺ called the last one the best way to seek forgiveness, and said that whoever says it with conviction in the day and dies before evening is among the people of Paradise. The full text, transliteration and translation are in our guide to Sayyid al-Istighfar.
Astaghfirullah vs tawbah vs Alhamdulillah
People often mix up the everyday phrases of remembrance. Each one answers a different moment:
| Phrase | Meaning | Say it when |
|---|---|---|
| Astaghfirullah | I seek forgiveness from Allah | You fall short or want to stay humble |
| Tawbah | Repentance (an act, not a phrase) | You commit a specific sin and turn away from it |
| Alhamdulillah | All praise is for Allah | Something good happens, or in any state |
| SubhanAllah | Glory be to Allah | Something amazes you |
| Ghufranaka | (I ask) Your forgiveness | Leaving the toilet |
Istighfar is words; tawbah is a change. For a sin against another person, scholars add a fourth condition to tawbah: returning their right or seeking their pardon. Saying Astaghfirullah is part of tawbah, but it does not replace these steps.
Common mistakes
- Mispronouncing it as "Astaghfurullah" or "Astagfirullah". The gh is a soft throat sound like a French r, and the vowel after it is i: as-tagh-fi-rul-lah.
- Saying it with no attention. Scholars have long warned that istighfar on the tongue while the heart is set on the sin is itself in need of istighfar. Slow down at least for the three after salah.
- Using it only for big sins. The Prophet ﷺ made it a background habit. Small, frequent istighfar is the Sunnah.
- Despair. Allah says in Quran 39:53 not to despair of His mercy. Saying Astaghfirullah is the answer to guilt, not a reason to feel beyond forgiveness.
Related terms
- Dhikr: Astaghfirullah is one of its core phrases.
- Ghufranaka: another short request for forgiveness from the same root.
- Taqwa: the Quran links istighfar to the people of taqwa.
- Benefits of istighfar: what the Quran and Sunnah promise to those who seek forgiveness.
- Istighfar duas: more forgiveness duas with Arabic and transliteration.
- Yaqeen Institute: The Meaning of Astaghfirullah: a short video from the Deeper into Dhikr series.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does Astaghfirullah mean?
Astaghfirullah means "I seek forgiveness from Allah." It comes from the Arabic root gh-f-r, which means to cover or shield, so the phrase asks Allah to cover your faults and protect you from their consequences. Saying it is called istighfar.
When do Muslims say Astaghfirullah?
Muslims say Astaghfirullah right after a sin or slip, three times after finishing each obligatory prayer as the Prophet ﷺ did, in morning and evening adhkar, and in the last part of the night. Many also say it when they hear something wrong or inappropriate.
How many times a day did the Prophet ﷺ say Astaghfirullah?
In Sahih al-Bukhari 6307 the Prophet ﷺ said he sought forgiveness and repented more than seventy times a day. In Sahih Muslim 2702 he said he sought forgiveness a hundred times a day. Either way, istighfar was a constant habit, not something saved for major sins.
What is the difference between Astaghfirullah and tawbah?
Astaghfirullah is istighfar, the words asking Allah for forgiveness. Tawbah is repentance: regretting the sin, stopping it, and resolving not to return, plus making amends if someone was wronged. Istighfar can be said at any time, while full tawbah is required for a specific sin.
What is Astaghfirullah al Azeem?
Astaghfirullah al Azeem means "I seek forgiveness from Allah, the Magnificent." It is the opening of a longer istighfar in Jami at-Tirmidhi 3577: "Astaghfirullahal-Azim alladhi la ilaha illa huwal-Hayyul-Qayyumu wa atubu ilaih," which the Prophet ﷺ said brings forgiveness.
Can you say Astaghfirullah without a sin in mind?
Yes. The Prophet ﷺ, who was protected from sin, still said Astaghfirullah dozens of times a day. Istighfar covers mistakes you forgot, shortcomings in worship, and ingratitude, and it keeps the heart humble. There is no need to have a particular sin in mind before saying it.