Fifth Kalma Astaghfar (The Repentance Prayer): A Powerful Way to Seek Forgiveness
Fifth Kalma astaghfar, also called the “Word of Repentance,” is a special prayer in Islam where a person asks Allah (SWT) to forgive their sins, whether done knowingly or unknowingly. It is a sincere way of seeking mercy, showing humility, and admitting past mistakes while asking for forgiveness.
What Fifth (5th) Kalma astaghfar means, why it is important, when and how to recite it, and its benefits based on teachings from the Quran and Hadith.
What is Fifth Kalma Astaghfar?
Kalma Istighfar is a special phrase in Islam used to ask Allah for forgiveness. The word “Astaghfar” means seeking forgiveness, and “Kalma” means a declaration or statement. Muslims recite the Fifth Kalma to ask Allah’s pardon for any sins they may have committed, whether knowingly or unknowingly, in private or in public.
5th Kalma Astaghfar in Arabic
اَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهِ رَبِّىْ مِنْ كُلِّ ذَنْبٍ اَذْنَبْتُهٗ عَمَدًا اَوْ خَطَأً سِرًّا اَوْ عَلَانِيَةً وَّاَتُوْبُ اِلَيْهِ مِنَ الذَّنْبِ الَّذِیْٓ اَعْلَمُ وَ مِنَ الذَّنْبِ الَّذِیْ لَآ اَعْلَمُ اِنَّكَ اَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوْبِ وَ سَتَّارُ الْعُيُوْبِ وَ غَفَّارُ الذُّنُوْبِ وَ لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ اِلَّا بِاللهِ الْعَلِىِِّ الْعَظِیْمِ
Kalma Astaghfar in English
“I ask Allah, my Lord, to forgive all my sins, whether I did them on purpose or by mistake, in secret or in public. I turn to Him in repentance for the sins I know about and those I am unaware of. Truly, You are the All-Knowing, the One who covers faults and forgives sins. There is no power or strength except with Allah, the Almighty, the Great.”
Meaning of Kalma Astaghfar
اَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهِ رَبِّىْ مِنْ كُلِّ ذَنْبٍ اَذْنَبْتُهٗ
“Astaghfirullaha Rabbi Min Kulli Dhambin Adhnabtuhu”
I ask Allah, my Lord, to forgive every sin I have done. This shows regret for mistakes and asks Allah, the Most Merciful, for forgiveness.
عَمَدًا اَوْ خَطَأً
“Amadan Aw Khata’an”
Whether I did it on purpose or by accident. This means asking forgiveness for both intentional and unintentional wrongs.
سِرًّا اَوْ عَلَانِيَةً
“Sirran Aw Alaniyah”
Whether I did it secretly or openly. This means asking forgiveness for sins done in private or in front of others.
وَّاَتُوْبُ اِلَيْهِ مِنَ الذَّنْبِ الَّذِیْٓ اَعْلَمُ وَ مِنَ الذَّنْبِ الَّذِیْ لَآ اَعْلَمُ
“Wa Atoobu Ilaihi Minadh-Dhanbi Al-Ladhi A’lamu Wa Minadh-Dhanbi Al-Ladhi La A’lamu”
I turn to Him in repentance for the sins I know about and those I don’t know. This means asking forgiveness for known and unknown mistakes.
اِنَّكَ اَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوْبِ
“Innaka Anta Allamul-Ghuyoob”
Surely, You know everything, even what is hidden. This reminds us that Allah knows everything about us, even our thoughts and secrets.
وَ سَتَّارُ الْعُيُوْبِ
“Wa Sattarul-Uyub”
You are the One who covers mistakes. This means Allah hides our faults from others and protects us from shame.
وَ غَفَّارُ الذُّنُوْبِ
“Wa Ghaffarul-Dhunoob”
You are the One who forgives sins. This shows that Allah is always ready to forgive, no matter how big or small the sin is.
وَ لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ اِلَّا بِاللهِ الْعَلِىِِّ الْعَظِیْمِ
“Wa La Hawla Wa La Quwwata Illa Billahil-Aliyyil-Azeem”
There is no power to avoid bad deeds or strength to do good except with Allah, the Most High, the Great. This means we need Allah’s help to stay away from sins and do good deeds.
This prayer is a beautiful way to admit our mistakes, seek forgiveness, and rely on Allah’s mercy and help in becoming better.
Importance
Fifth 5 Kalma astaghfar is very important in Islam because it teaches Muslims to ask Allah for forgiveness and turn back to Him after making mistakes. It reminds us that humans can make errors, but Allah’s mercy has no limits. By reciting this Kalma, Muslims seek to cleanse their hearts and gain Allah’s forgiveness.
- Forgiveness: It helps in asking Allah to forgive sins and mistakes.
- Humility: It keeps Muslims humble by admitting their faults and seeking mercy.
- Closer to Allah: Reciting this Kalima often strengthens the bond with Allah and helps in spiritual growth.
- Protection from Punishment: It protects against the consequences of sins, as Allah is the Most Merciful.
Kalima Istighfar encourages believers to be mindful of their actions, repent sincerely, and rely on Allah’s endless forgiveness.
When and How to Recite Kalma Astaghfar
When to Recite Kalma Istighfar:
Kalma astaghfar can be said at any time, but it is especially good to say it in these situations:
- During Daily Prayers (Salah):
It is good to say Kalma Istighfar during your regular prayers. Saying it helps keep your heart clean and reminds you of Allah’s mercy and forgiveness. - After Making a Mistake or Sin:
Whenever you realize that you have made a mistake or sinned, reciting Kalma Istighfar is a way to quickly ask Allah for forgiveness and show that you want to turn back to Him. - Before Sleeping:
Saying Kalma Istighfar before sleeping helps clean your heart and soul before you rest. It helps you sleep peacefully, knowing you have asked for forgiveness. - When Feeling Sad or Regretful:
When you feel sorry or upset about your mistakes or difficult situations, saying Kalma Istighfar brings peace. It reminds you that Allah’s mercy is always there, and He is ready to forgive. - During the Last Part of the Night (Tahajjud Prayer):
The last part of the night is a special time for prayer. Reciting Kalma Istighfar during this time, especially in the Tahajjud prayer, is a strong way to ask for Allah’s forgiveness and mercy.
How to Recite Kalma Istighfar:
To say Kalma Istighfar properly and with sincerity, follow these steps:
- Be Calm and Humble:
It’s best to recite Kalima Istighfar in a quiet place where you can fully focus. Whether sitting or standing, make sure you are calm, and your heart is humble, asking Allah for forgiveness. - Understand the Meaning:
While you recite the Kalmay, pay attention to the meaning of the words. Focus on asking Allah for forgiveness and His mercy, not just saying the words without thinking. The more sincere your heart is, the more powerful the recitation will be. - Repeat the Kalma as Much as You Can:
There is no limit to how many times you can say Kalima astaghfar. The more you say it, the closer you become to Allah. It is especially good to say it after doing good things or when asking for forgiveness for any mistakes. - Ask for Forgiveness and Purity:
As you recite, ask Allah to forgive your past mistakes and clean your heart. This is a time to reflect on your actions and show that you want to improve and follow the right way.
By regularly saying Istighfar, you build a habit of repentance, humility, and closeness to Allah, always seeking His forgiveness and mercy.
Benefits of Reciting
Spiritual Cleansing:
Reciting Kalma Istighfar helps clean your heart and soul by removing the negative effects of sins. It allows you to feel spiritually pure again.
Mercy from Allah:
Saying this Kalma brings Allah’s mercy and forgiveness, helping you find peace of mind and feel relieved from any guilt or worries.
Reduces Sins:
Regularly reciting Kalma astaghfar helps erase the weight of accumulated sins, making your heart lighter and your actions purer.
A Source of Tranquility:
It brings peace and comfort to your heart, giving you a sense of security and reassurance that Allah is always ready to forgive you.
A Shield Against Difficulties:
Saying Kalma astaghfar helps protect you from life’s problems and challenges, offering support and strength in times of hardship.
Fifth Kalima in the Quran and Hadith
The concept of seeking forgiveness from Allah is mentioned extensively in both the Quran and Hadith.
- Allah (SWT) says in Surah Al-Furqan, Ayah 70:
“Except for those who repent, believe and do righteous work. For them Allah will replace their evil deeds with good. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.” (25:70)
- In Surah An-Nisa, Ayah 110:
“And whoever does evil or wrongs himself but then seeks forgiveness of Allah will find Allah Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (4:110)
Kalma Astaghfar in Hadith
- The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“Whoever says: ‘I ask forgiveness from Allah, my Lord, from every sin I have committed, and I turn to Him in repentance,’ will be forgiven, even if he has committed a sin as great as the earth.” (Sahih Muslim)
Historical Context of Kalma Astaghfar
Asking for forgiveness has been an important part of Islamic history since the time of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). From the very beginning, Muslims were taught to turn to Allah for mercy and forgiveness for their actions.
The Kalma Istighfar was one of the daily prayers of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and is seen as a key part of a Muslim’s spiritual path.
It reminds us of the importance of seeking Allah’s forgiveness every day to stay connected with Him and improve ourselves.
Final Words: Embrace the Power of Repentance
Kalma astaghfar is a strong and meaningful prayer for cleaning the heart and soul. It teaches us to be humble, reflect on our actions, and always seek forgiveness from Allah.
Saying it regularly helps to remove our sins and brings us closer to Allah. By making this beautiful prayer a part of your daily life, you will always be reminded of Allah’s mercy and your path to growing spiritually.
