Asking for forgiveness (istighfar) is a fundamental practice in Islam, where believers seek Allah’s mercy for their sins and shortcomings. The act of seeking forgiveness reflects humility and a desire for spiritual purification. A famous dua for forgiveness is:
Dua for Asking Forgiveness
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي ظُلْمًا كَثِيرًا، وَلَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، فَاغْفِرْ لِي مَغْفِرَةً مِنْ عِنْدِكَ، وَارْحَمْنِي، إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
Allahumma inni zhalamtu nafsi zhulman kathiran, wa la yaghfiru ad-dhunooba illa anta, faghfir li maghfiratan min 'indika warhamni, innaka anta al-Ghafur ar-Rahim.
O Allah, I have wronged myself greatly, and none forgives sins but You. So grant me forgiveness from Yourself and have mercy on me. Indeed, You are the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith Number 834)
By turning to Allah SWT in repentance, Muslims acknowledge their imperfections, hoping for His compassion, and striving to improve their conduct in accordance with Allah’s guidance.