What does "Astaghfirullah" mean and how often do I say it?
Yes, there's a clear meaning and a simple sunnah: "Astaghfirullah" means "I seek Allah's forgiveness," and the Prophet ﷺ said it at least 70 to 100 times a day. There's no fixed minimum you must reach. Say it after every prayer, whenever you slip up, and as part of your daily dhikr. Even a few sincere times a day is a great start.
What "Astaghfirullah" means
"Astaghfirullah" (astaghfiru-llah) means "I ask Allah for forgiveness." It comes from ghafara, which carries the idea of covering and protecting. So you're asking Allah to cover your mistakes and protect you from their harm, in this life and the next.
A slightly longer form many Muslims use is "Astaghfirullaha wa atubu ilayh": "I seek Allah's forgiveness and turn to Him in repentance."
How often did the Prophet ﷺ say it?
- More than 70 times a day: "By Allah! I ask for forgiveness from Allah and turn to Him in repentance more than seventy times a day" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6307).
- A hundred times a day: in another narration he said, "I seek forgiveness from Allah a hundred times a day" (Sahih Muslim 2702).
- Three times after each prayer: when he finished his prayer, "He begged forgiveness three times" (Sahih Muslim 591). See What should I say after every prayer?
If the Prophet ﷺ, who was the best of people, did this, it shows istighfar isn't only for "big sinners." It's a daily habit of the heart.
When to say it
- Right after a mistake: you snapped at someone, looked at something you shouldn't, missed a prayer. Say it straight away and try to do better.
- After prayer: three times, as above.
- During the day: on your commute, while waiting in line, before sleeping.
- When you hear something wrong: many Muslims also say it as a reaction to bad speech, like "God forbid." That's fine, but don't let it replace real repentance for your own mistakes.
For a fuller form, the "master of seeking forgiveness" (Sayyid al-Istighfar) begins "Allahumma anta Rabbi, la ilaha illa ant" (O Allah, You are my Lord, there is none worthy of worship except You) (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306). It's longer, so learn it from an app or the book Fortress of the Muslim.
What if I keep making the same mistake?
Keep saying it, and keep trying. Real repentance means regret, stopping the sin, and intending not to return, but falling again doesn't close the door. The Prophet ﷺ even said that if people did not sin, Allah would replace them with people who sin and seek forgiveness, and He would forgive them (Sahih Muslim 2749). See Will Allah forgive me if I keep committing the same sin?
As a new Muslim, remember your past before Islam is already wiped clean. See Are all my sins forgiven when I become Muslim?
- "Astaghfirullah" means "I seek Allah's forgiveness."
- The Prophet ﷺ said it 70 to 100 times a day.
- Say it three times after every prayer.
- Saying it often is a sign of a healthy heart, not a bad one.
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