Is Istighfar Related to Sustenance and Blessings from Allah ﷻ ?

Devin Halim Wijaya24 April 2024

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In Islamic teachings, the concept of istighfar (asking for forgiveness) has a close relationship with sustenance (livelihood or rizq). Istighfar is not only a request for forgiveness for the sins that have been committed, but also a practice that has a major impact on increasing one’s sustenance. In the Quran and Hadith, there are many proofs that emphasise the importance of istighfar and its relationship with sustenance. This article will explore both concepts and provide a deeper understanding.

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Istighfar in the Quran and Hadith

The Quran clearly emphasises the importance of istighfar and Allah’s promise to His servants who seek His forgiveness. Allah ﷻ says when narrating the preaching of Prophet Shalih (peace be upon him) to his people in Surah Hud [11:61]:

وَإِلَىٰ ثَمُودَ أَخَاهُمْ صَالِحًا ۚ قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مَا لَكُمْ مِنْ إِلَٰهٍ غَيْرُهُ ۖ هُوَ أَنْشَأَكُمْ مِنَ الْأَرْضِ وَاسْتَعْمَرَكُمْ فِيهَا فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ ثُمَّ تُوبُوا إِلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّي قَرِيبٌ مُجِيبٌ

And to the Tsamud (We sent) their brother Shaleh. Shaleh said: “O my people, worship Allah; there is for you no god but Him. He has created you from the earth and made you prosperous, so seek His forgiveness and repent to Him. Verily, my Lord is very near (to His mercy) and accepts (the prayers of His servants).” [Hud/11:61]

This verse shows that istighfar is the first step in improving one’s relationship with Allah. This verse also shows that Allah’s ﷻ Mercy and the fulfilment of prayers will come closer to the person who makes istighfar.

In addition, the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, also shows istighfar as a great act of worship that he very often performed regularly. It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

وَاللَّهِ إِنِّى لأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ فِى الْيَوْمِ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ سَبْعِينَ مَرًَ

“By Allah. I repent and seek forgiveness from Allah more than 70 times a day.” (HR. Bukhari)

This Hadith shows that the Prophet ﷺ himself regularly performed istighfar, even though he was the holiest human being in the sight of Allah ﷻ.

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The Relationship between Istighfar and Sustenance

The concept of the relationship between istighfar and sustenance is also illustrated in Islamic teachings. Istighfar is believed to open the doors of sustenance that are sometimes blocked by sins and mistakes. In the Quran, Allah ﷻ says in Surah Nuh [71:10-12]:

فَقُلْتُ اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهُ كَانَ غَفَّارًا (10) يُرْسِلِ السَّمَاءَ عَلَيْكُمْ مِدْرَارًا (11) وَيُمْدِدْكُمْ بِأَمْوَالٍ وَبَنِينَ وَيَجْعَلْ لَكُمْ جَنَّاتٍ وَيَجْعَلْ لَكُمْ أَنْهَارًا (12)

“So I said to them: ‘Ask forgiveness of your Lord, surely He is the Most Forgiving, surely He will send you rain in abundance, and multiply your wealth and children, and make for you gardens and make for you rivers.'” (QS. Nuh: 10-12)

This verse confirms that istighfar is the key to getting abundant sustenance from Allah ﷻ Even the types of sustenance given are detailed by Allah ﷻ such as heavy rainfall, abundance of wealth and children, to the existence of gardens and rivers.

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In addition to this verse, Allah ﷻ also says in Surah Hud [11:3]:

وَأَنِ اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ ثُمَّ تُوبُوا إِلَيْهِ يُمَتِّعْكُمْ مَتَاعًا حَسَنًا إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى وَيُؤْتِ كُلَّ ذِي فَضْلٍ فَضْلَهُ ۖ وَإِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنِّي أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ كَبِيرٍ

And seek forgiveness of your Lord and repent to Him. (If you do so), surely He will give you good enjoyment (continuously) until the appointed time and He will give to every one who has excelled (the recompense) of his excellence. If you turn away, then indeed I fear that you will be afflicted with the punishment of the Day of Resurrection. This verse shows that istighfar is also a source of continuous sustenance.

In addition, the hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also underlines the relationship between istighfar and sustenance. In a hadith, the Prophet ﷺ said:

مَنْ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ الِاسْتِغْفَارِ؛ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لَهُ مِنْ كُلِّ هَمٍّ فَرَجًا، وَمِنْ كُلِّ ضِيقٍ مَخْرَجًا، وَزَقَهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ

“Whoever multiplies istighfar, Allah ﷻwill ease his distress, bring him out of hardship and provide for him from an unexpected source.” (Hadith narrated by Muslim).

This Hadīth illustrates that istighfar not only improves one’s spiritual relationship with Allah ﷻ, but also has an impact on the material aspects of life and even solves life’s problems.

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Implications in Daily Life

From the understanding of the importance of istighfar and its relationship with sustenance, there are several implications that can be taken in everyday life. Firstly, one must routinely do istighfar as an effort to cleanse oneself of sins and mistakes. Secondly, istighfar must also be accompanied by sincere repentance and a commitment not to repeat these sins.

In addition, one must also understand that sustenance is not merely the result of effort and hard work, but also a gift from Allah ﷻ that can be obtained through istighfar and taqwa. Therefore, one should always be grateful for the sustenance given by Allah ﷻ, both in large and small amounts.

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Conclusion

In Islam, istighfar is not only a request for forgiveness for the sins that have been committed, but it is also the key to getting abundant sustenance from Allah ﷻ. By doing istighfar regularly and sincerely, one can cleanse oneself of sins and mistakes and open the doors of sustenance provided by Allah ﷻ. Therefore, it is important for every Muslim to understand and practice the concept of istighfar in daily life as part of the effort to get blessings and success from Allah ﷻ.

Wallahu a’lam