Understanding concept of Tauba and Astaghfar (Repentance and Forgiveness) in Islam

The Arabic words Tauba and Astaghfar are commonly used together in the context of seeking mercy and forgiveness of Allah after one has sinned. However, while both Tauba (repentance) and Astaghfar (seeking forgiveness) are related to seeking Allah's mercy, they have slightly different meanings and implications. 

In the light of the Quran and Hadith, both Tauba (repentance) and Astaghfar (seeking forgiveness) are important concepts related to seeking Allah’s mercy. However, their meanings and applications have distinct differences, which can be seen more clearly through the verses of the Quran and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Let us try to understand the difference and how to use these two words to show one's regret after having sinned and seeking Divine forgiveness:

Tauba (Repentance)

• Definition: Tauba is a deeper, more comprehensive form of repentance. It involves turning back to Allah after committing a sin, feeling remorse for the sin, and making a strong commitment to never repeat that sin again.
• Key Elements of Tauba:
• Remorse: Truly feeling regret and sorrow for the sin committed.
• Abandonment of the sin: Stopping the sinful behavior immediately.
• Resolve not to return to the sin: Making a firm intention not to fall into that sin again.
• Seeking Allah's forgiveness: Asking Allah for His mercy and pardon.
• Tauba is a more profound process because it requires a sincere commitment to change and a transformation in one’s life. It's about not just asking for forgiveness but also turning away from the wrongdoing.

Astaghfar (Seeking Forgiveness)

• Definition: Astaghfar comes from the Arabic word "ghafara," meaning to cover or forgive. It refers specifically to asking Allah for forgiveness, typically using the phrase "Astaghfirullaha Rabbi min kulli dhambin wa atubu ilayh" (I ask Allah for forgiveness, my Lord, from every sin, and I turn to Him).
• Key Elements of Astaghfar:
• Seeking Allah's forgiveness for sins committed.
• It can be said repeatedly and often, whether or not a person is deeply committed to changing their behavior. It's a way of acknowledging human imperfection and continually turning to Allah in humility.
• Astaghfar is more general and can be used frequently, often for smaller sins or when a person is simply trying to maintain humility and avoid arrogance. It’s also a form of remembrance of Allah (dhikr).

Tauba (Repentance) in the Quran and Hadith

Tauba is a comprehensive concept that goes beyond just asking for forgiveness. Repentance requires not only seeking forgiveness but a change in behavior and the intention to avoid the sin in the future.Tauba is a deep commitment to turning back to Allah, correcting one's wrongs, and ensuring the sin is not repeated.

• Quranic References:
• Surah At-Tawbah (9:104): 
• "And know that Allah accepts repentance from His servants and takes the zakat from them and that He is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful." 
• This verse emphasizes that Allah accepts repentance, showing that turning to Allah in repentance is a process of returning to Him with sincerity.
• Surah Al-Furqan (25:70): 
• "As for those who repent, believe, and do good deeds, they are the ones whose evil deeds Allah will change into good deeds. For Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful."
• This highlights the importance of repentance (Tauba) in transforming one's evil deeds into good deeds, and the deep forgiveness that Allah offers.
• Hadith References:
• Sahih Muslim (3431): 
• The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "Every son of Adam sins, and the best of those who sin are those who repent."
• This hadith emphasizes the importance of returning to Allah through repentance after committing a sin, with the focus on a sincere transformation and commitment to better behavior.
• Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim Hadith 2703:
• "He who seeks repentance (from the Lord) before the rising of the sun from the west (before the Day of Resurrection), Allah turns to him with Mercy."
• Read our earlier post "Repent! Before the last time to repent arrives" for details
• Sunan Ibn Majah (4250): 
• It was narrated from Abu ‘Ubadah bin ‘Abdullah, that his father said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘The one who repents from sin is like one who did not sin.’”
• This hadith illustrates the concept of Tauba, where the person acknowledges their sin, seeks forgiveness, and makes a sincere return to Allah.
• You may like to read our earlier post: Repentance - Tauba and listen to one of the eminent Muslim scholar Zakir Naik on the subject of how one can know that his repentance has been accepted.

Astaghfar (Seeking Forgiveness) in the Quran and Hadith

Astaghfar refers to the act of asking Allah for forgiveness for one's sins. It is a more general and frequent way to seek Allah's mercy. It can be done without necessarily having the deep commitment and resolution of Tauba but is still a way to seek Allah’s pardon for one's misdeeds.

• Quranic References:
• Surah Al-Baqarah (2:199): 
• "And when you depart from Arafat, remember Allah at Mash'ar al-Haram. And remember Him, as He has guided you..."
• This verse mentions remembering Allah, and this includes seeking His forgiveness (Astaghfar). It is a reminder to keep asking Allah for His mercy.
• Surah An-Nisa (4:110): 
• "Whoever does a wrong or wrongs himself but then seeks forgiveness of Allah will find Allah Forgiving and Merciful."
• This verse shows that Astaghfar (asking forgiveness) is a means of receiving Allah’s forgiveness, and it is an act of turning to Allah in humility.
• Hadith References:
• Sahih al-Bukhari (6306): 
• The Prophet (ﷺ) said "The most superior way of asking for forgiveness from Allah is: O Allah, You are my Lord, there is none worthy of worship except You. You have created me, and I am Your servant, and I am faithful to 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 blessings upon me, and I admit my sins. So forgive me, for none forgives sins except You.
• This hadith indicates that Astaghfar is an essential practice in Islam. The act of asking forgiveness is always available for the believer, and it is a means of maintaining Allah’s mercy.
• Sahih Muslim (2702): 
• “The one who says, ‘SubhanAllah wa bihamdihi,’ a hundred times a day, his sins will be forgiven even if they are like the foam of the sea.”
• This hadith indicates that Astaghfar and remembering Allah often can serve as an ongoing process of seeking His forgiveness.
• Astaghfar can thus be recited frequently and is a form of asking Allah for forgiveness, which reflects a recognition of one's sins and an acknowledgment of Allah's mercy. It may not always involve the same level of commitment and change as Tauba, but it remains an essential act of seeking Allah’s pardon.

Main Differences Between Tauba and Astaghfar

• Nature of Repentance:
• Tauba is a comprehensive process that involves sincere remorse, abandoning the sin, resolving not to repeat it, and seeking forgiveness from Allah.
• Astaghfar is simply the act of asking for forgiveness and can be done frequently, even if the person does not intend to change their behavior immediately.
• Level of Commitment:
• Tauba involves a deeper commitment to change and turn away from the sin.
• Astaghfar is an expression of humility and a plea for forgiveness but may not always be accompanied by a resolution to completely abandon the sinful behavior.
• Purpose:
• Tauba aims for a complete return to Allah, transforming the heart and behavior.
• Astaghfar is a way of maintaining a constant connection with Allah and seeking forgiveness, especially for minor or repeated sins.

In light of the Quran and Hadith, Tauba and Astaghfar are both acts of seeking Allah’s forgiveness, but they differ in their depth and commitment. Tauba is a profound repentance, requiring a complete return to Allah and a commitment to change, while Astaghfar is a more general and frequent plea for forgiveness. Both are vital in Islam for maintaining a relationship with Allah and seeking His mercy.

To summaries, we need to understand that Tauba is a full repentance, which involves regret, ceasing the sin, and resolving not to return to it. Astaghfar is asking for Allah's forgiveness, often used as a way to seek mercy and acknowledge one's sins, and can be said frequently. Both are essential in Islam, and it’s encouraged to engage in both Tauba and Astaghfar to maintain a clean heart and a strong relationship with Allah.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Photo | references: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

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The Divine promise of Hope and Redemption in Qur'an

Man has always been enticed by the Evil to sin or do acts detested by our Creator, Allah the Almighty. Yet when the storm of worldly desires subsides, one is left with nothing but remorse and utter shame for having defied the Divine commandments of morality, honesty and following what is Halal (permissible) and shunning what is Haram (not permissible). In despair, if he has an iota of faith in Allah, he immediately repents his wrong doing and seek forgiveness.  For such believers, there is a message of hope and redemption given in the 70th verse of Surah 25. Al-Furqan. 

Let us read and try to understand the selected verse, which is followed by its explanation in the video given at the end of the verse explanation:

اِلَّا مَنۡ تَابَ وَاٰمَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلًاصَالِحًـا فَاُولٰٓـئِكَ يُبَدِّلُ اللّٰهُ سَيِّاٰتِهِمۡ حَسَنٰتٍ​ ؕ وَكَانَ اللّٰهُ غَفُوۡرًا رَّحِيۡمًا‏ 

(25:70) Unless he repents and believes and does righteous works. For such, Allah will change their evil deeds into good deeds. Allah is Ever Forgiving, Most Compassionate.

This verse highlights the concept of repentance and divine forgiveness in Islam. In fact, this is a good news for those people who repented and reformed themselves, for they will have the benefit of the "general amnesty" contained in verse 70. This was regarded as a great blessing by the true servants who had committed undesirable acts.

Here's a breakdown of its meanings:

This verse is part of a passage that addresses the behaviors of those who reject the truth, commit sinful actions, and engage in negative conduct. These people may have indulged in sins such as idolatry, oppression, or immorality. However, the verse offers a message of hope and redemption. Allah is emphasizing that those who truly turn to Him in sincere repentance and faith, and then follow that up with righteous deeds, can receive His mercy.

Key Elements of the Verse:

• Repentance (Tawbah): The verse begins by stating that repentance is essential. Repentance in Islam means feeling remorse for one’s sins, stopping the sinful behavior, seeking forgiveness from Allah, and making a firm intention not to return to those sins.
• Faith (Iman): Belief in Allah and His messenger, and adherence to the pillars of Islam, is the foundation for a person to be eligible for Allah's mercy.
• Righteous Deeds (Amal Saleh): After repentance and belief, the individual is required to perform righteous actions — actions that align with Islamic principles, including charity, prayer, and other good deeds.
• Replacement of Evil Deeds with Good: One of the most powerful aspects of this verse is the promise that Allah will replace the person's bad deeds with good ones. This shows the infinite mercy of Allah. Even if someone has committed many sins, if they sincerely repent and strive to do good, Allah will not only forgive them but will transform their past mistakes into acts of virtue.
• Allah's Forgiveness and Mercy: The verse concludes by reiterating that Allah is Forgiving (غَفُور) and Merciful (رَحِيم). These attributes remind us that Allah is always ready to forgive those who truly repent and seek His mercy, no matter how great their sins may have been.

Practical Implications

• Hope for the sinner: This verse offers hope for anyone who has committed sins. No matter how serious the wrongdoings, if a person sincerely repents, they can be forgiven.
• Encouragement for reform: It encourages believers to always seek self-improvement through repentance, faith, and good deeds.
• The transformative power of repentance: It also underscores the transformative power of sincere repentance, where a person’s past mistakes can be wiped away and replaced with good deeds.

In essence, this verse encapsulates Allah’s immense mercy and the process through which a person can regain a righteous standing in His sight, regardless of past errors. Many instances of such people, who sincerely repented and reformed their lives, have been related in the traditions. 

For instance, Ibn Jarir and Tabarani have related an incident from Hadrat Abu Hurairah, who savs, "One day when 1 returned home after offering the 'lsha prayer in the Prophet's Mosque, I saw a woman standing at my door. I saluted her and walked into my room, closed the door and busied myself in voluntary worship. After a while she knocked at the door. I opened the door and asked what she wanted. She said that she had come with a problem: She had committed zina, had become pregnant, given birth to a child and then killed it. She wanted to know if there was any chance of her sin being forgiven. I replied in the negative. She went back grief-stricken, exclaiming, "Ah! this beautiful body was created for the fire!" The next morning, after the prayer, when I related the night's incident before the Holy Prophet, he said, "You gave a very wrong answer, Abu Hurairah: Haven't you read the Qur'anic verse which says: '(Those) who do not invoke any other deity than Allah...except the one who may have repented (after those sins) and have believed and done righteous deeds' `?" Hearing this from the Holy Prophet, I went out in search of the woman, and had her traced again at the `Isha time. I gave her the good news and told her what the Holy Prophet had said in reply to her question. She immediately tell prostrate on the ground and thanked Allah, Who had opened a way for her forgiveness. Then she offered repentance and set a slave-girl, along with her son, tree." 

A similar incident about an old man has been related in the traditions. He came before the Holy Prophet and said, "O Messenger of Allah, all my life has passed in sin: there is no sin which I have not committed; so much so that if my sins were to be distributed over the people of the whole world, they would all be doomed. Is there any way out for my forgiveness?" The Holy Prophet asked him, "Have you embraced Islam?" He said, "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah." The Holy Prophet said, "Go back, Allah is All-Forgiving and has the power to change your evil deeds into good deeds." He asked,"Is it about all my crimes and errors?'' The Holy Prophet replied, "Yes, it is about all your crimes and errors." ( Ibn Kathir) .

You may like to  watch a discussion between eminent Muslim scholar Dr. Shabir Ally and Dr. Safiyyah Ally on the meaning and Divine promise of hope and redemption as mentioned in Quran 25:70:

Let us never lose faith in Allah and His reassurance to His servants of forgiveness provided we repent and promise not to indulge in acts reprehensible to Allah. Remember, the essence of this verse lies in the sincerity while repenting with a solemn pledge of not repeating the same again. Let us cash on the Divine promise of hope and redemption and not be enticed by the Evil to fall into its trap again.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎)  help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

For more Scholarly views and videos, please read our reference page: Scholars' Viewpoint on Important Issues Related to Islam. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

For more Selected Verses, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Tafsir References: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of the Qur'ān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In addition, references of other sources which have been explored have also been given above. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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