Sayyidul Istighfar — Arabic, Transliteration, English & Virtue
FT
Faisal Tariq
Islamic Education Specialist & Quran Learning Expert
Published: August 28, 2026 9 min read
Sayyidul Istighfar (سيّد الاستغفار) means "the master of seeking forgiveness." It is a short, complete supplication in which the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ gathered the most beautiful ways of turning back to Allah — acknowledging Him as our Lord, admitting our own weakness, thanking Him for His favours, and asking sincerely for forgiveness.
Many Muslims search for a single, authentic dua they can hold onto every morning and evening. This is that dua. It is reported in Sahih al-Bukhari, and the Prophet ﷺ described a remarkable reward for the one who recites it with certainty of faith.
In this guide you will find the full Arabic text, an easy transliteration, the English meaning, its authentic virtue, and a simple daily routine so you can make it a lasting habit — for yourself and for your children.
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, abu’u laka bi ni‘matika ‘alayya, wa abu’u bi dhanbi faghfir li fa innahu la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa anta.
Meaning: "O Allah, You are my Lord, there is no god but You. You created me and I am Your servant, and I keep Your covenant and my promise to You 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."
Understanding the Words
What makes this dua "the master of seeking forgiveness" is not its length but its completeness. In just a few lines it moves through every attitude a believer should carry before Allah:
Tawhid — "You are my Lord, there is no god but You."
Servanthood — "You created me and I am Your servant."
Honesty about ourselves — "as much as I can," admitting our limits.
Seeking refuge — from the harm of our own mistakes.
Gratitude — recognising Allah's blessings.
Repentance — owning our sin and asking only Him for forgiveness.
The Authentic Virtue
The Prophet ﷺ said that whoever recites Sayyidul Istighfar during the day with firm faith in it, and dies that day before evening, will be among the people of Paradise; and whoever recites it at night with firm faith in it, and dies before morning, will be among the people of Paradise. (Sahih al-Bukhari)
This is a tremendous reward for a short daily habit. The condition mentioned in the hadith is certainty of faith — reciting it with a present heart, meaning the words, rather than rushing through them.
When and How to Recite It
Scholars place Sayyidul Istighfar among the morning and evening adhkar. A simple, sustainable routine looks like this:
Time
Practice
After Fajr
Recite once, slowly, reflecting on the meaning.
After Asr / before Maghrib
Recite once as part of evening adhkar.
Anytime
Repeat when you feel regret over a mistake.
If you are still building confidence in Arabic pronunciation, learning it correctly with a tutor makes a real difference. You can explore Tajweed lessons online or read our guide on morning and evening adhkar.
Teaching It to Children
Because it is short and rhythmic, Sayyidul Istighfar is a wonderful dua for children to memorise. Break it into small phrases, recite it together after Fajr, and explain one meaning each week. Over a month, most children can hold the whole dua with understanding. For a structured approach, see online Quran classes for kids.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Sayyidul Istighfar mean? +
Sayyidul Istighfar means "the master (or best) of seeking forgiveness." It is a comprehensive supplication taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ that combines Tawhid, gratitude, and repentance in a few short lines.
Is Sayyidul Istighfar authentic? +
Yes. It is reported in Sahih al-Bukhari, one of the most authentic collections of hadith, on the authority of Shaddad ibn Aws (may Allah be pleased with him).
When should I recite Sayyidul Istighfar? +
It is best recited once in the morning (after Fajr) and once in the evening as part of the daily adhkar. You may also repeat it whenever you feel regret over a mistake.
What is the reward for reciting it? +
The Prophet ﷺ said that whoever recites it with firm faith during the day and dies before evening, or recites it at night and dies before morning, will be among the people of Paradise (Sahih al-Bukhari).
Can children memorise Sayyidul Istighfar? +
Yes. It is short and easy to break into phrases, which makes it ideal for children. Reciting it together daily and explaining one part each week helps them memorise it with understanding.
Islamic Education Specialist & Quran Learning Expert
Faisal Tariq is identified on NoorPath as the academy's founder. This article is published as part of NoorPath's Quran and Islamic education resource library.
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