A dua for forgiveness (Istighfar) is the door that never closes. Allah says He forgives all sins for those who turn to Him (Quran 39:53). The Prophet ﷺ — who was already forgiven — sought forgiveness more than seventy times a day (Bukhari 6307).

Quick answer: The best dua for forgiveness is Sayyid al-Istighfar (the Master of Seeking Forgiveness). Whoever says it with certainty in the morning and dies that day enters Paradise; same for the evening (Bukhari 6306). Full Arabic below. Also see Astaghfirullah meaning.

Sayyid al-Istighfar — the master dua

SAYYID AL-ISTIGHFAR · Bukhari 6306
اَللّٰهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ وَأَنَا عَلَىٰ عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ وَأَبُوءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ

Allaahumma anta rabbee laa ilaaha illaa ant, khalaqtanee wa ana 'abduk, wa ana 'alaa 'ahdika wa wa'dika mas-tata't, a'oodhu bika min sharri maa sana't, aboo'u laka bi ni'matika 'alayya wa aboo'u laka bi dhanbee faghfir lee fa innahu laa yaghfirudh-dhunooba illaa ant.

English: O Allah, You are my Lord; there is no god but You. You created me and I am Your servant, and I uphold Your covenant and promise as much as I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge Your favour upon me and I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me — for none forgives sins except You.

Short daily Istighfar

ASTAGHFIRULLAH
أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللّٰهَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ

Astaghfirullaaha wa atoobu ilayh.

English: I seek Allah's forgiveness and I repent to Him.

Dua of Yunus (Ayat e Karima)

When feeling trapped by sin or hardship, recite the dua of Prophet Yunus — detailed in our guide to Ayat e Karima: La ilaha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu minaz-zalimin (21:87).

Conditions of sincere Tawbah

  1. Stop the sin immediately.
  2. Feel genuine regret.
  3. Resolve not to return.
  4. If the sin harmed others, restore their rights where possible.

Saying the words without these conditions is dhikr — beautiful — but complete repentance needs the heart and action too.

Best times: After Salah, last third of the night, Mondays and Thursdays, and whenever you remember a mistake. Consistency beats occasional long sessions.
Teach Istighfar to children early — a soft heart that knows how to return to Allah is a lifelong gift. NoorPath classes include duas with Tajweed. Book a free trial.