Sayyidul Istighfar - Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning

Sayyidul Istighfar — Arabic, Transliteration & Translation

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This page provides authentic Islamic duas for ‘Sayyidul Istighfar,’ including the Arabic text, transliteration, and English translation. Each dua is taken from reliable Islamic sources and arranged in a clear, easy-to-recite format for daily use. Sukoonly follows proper Islamic guidelines to ensure accuracy, simplicity, and correct formatting for every supplication.
Sayyidul Istighfar - Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
Sayyidul Istighfar (سَيِّدُ الِاسْتِغْفَارِ) is the greatest dua for seeking forgiveness in Islam. The phrase means “The Master of Forgiveness,” and it was taught directly by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. This powerful supplication is authentically recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 6306) and holds a special place in the daily remembrance of believers seeking tawbah (repentance) and Allah’s mercy. Sayyidul Istighfar is called the “Master” of forgiveness because it combines the core elements of sincere repentance: acknowledging Allah’s Rububiyyah (Lordship), confessing one’s shortcomings, and placing hope in His Rahmah (Mercy). It renews a believer’s covenant with Allah ﷻ and affirms complete reliance upon Him. The Prophet ﷺ said that whoever recites Sayyidul Istighfar during the day with firm faith and dies before evening will be among the people of Jannah, and whoever recites it at night and dies before morning will enter Paradise (Sahih al-Bukhari 6306). Below, you will find the Arabic text of Sayyidul Istighfar, along with transliteration and translation, and an explanation of its meaning and virtues so you can recite it with sincerity and understanding.

Arabic Text of Sayyidul Istighfar

Here is the authentic Arabic text of Sayyidul Istighfar (سَيِّدُ الِاسْتِغْفَارِ) — the most noble dua of repentance, taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and faithfully recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 6306). These blessed words were given to the Companions (Sahabah) as the best way to seek Allah’s forgiveness. In them, the believer admits their weakness, acknowledges Allah’s complete power (Rububiyyah), and turns to His endless mercy (Rahmah).
Arabic:

اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ، وَأَنَا عَلَىٰ عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ، أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ، وَأَبُوءُ بِذَنْبِي، فَاغْفِرْ لِي، فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ.

 This short yet powerful dua holds within it tawheed (belief in Allah’s oneness), tawbah (repentance), and maghfirah (forgiveness). When recited with sincerity, it becomes a moment of closeness — a believer speaking directly to their Creator, admitting faults, and seeking His boundless mercy and peace.

Transliteration of Sayyidul Istighfar

Here is the transliteration of Sayyidul Istighfar (سَيِّدُ الِاسْتِغْفَارِ) — the most honored dua for forgiveness, taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and cherished by believers around the world. This transliteration helps those who may not read Arabic recite the dua with ease and reverence. Take your time when reading it; pronounce each phrase slowly, letting its meaning settle in your heart. With every word, the believer admits their mistakes, seeks mercy, and renews their faith in Allah’s forgiveness.
English Transliteration: Allahumma anta rabbee la ilaha illa anta, khalaqtanee wa ana ‘abduka, wa ana ‘ala ‘ahdika wa wa‘dika ma istata‘t, a‘oodhu bika min sharri ma sana‘t, aboo’u laka bini‘matika ‘alayya, wa aboo’u bithanbee, faghfir lee, fa innahu la yaghfiru adhdhunooba illa anta.
Each line of this dua carries a tone of humility and surrender — a moment where the servant turns completely to their Creator, trusting that only Allah ﷻ forgives and accepts sincere repentance.

Translation and Meaning of Sayyidul Istighfar

The translation of Sayyidul Istighfar (سَيِّدُ الِاسْتِغْفَارِ) beautifully reveals the essence of repentance in Islam — a personal conversation between the servant and the Lord. It is not just a request for forgiveness but a renewal of faith, humility, and surrender before Allah ﷻ. Each part of the dua reminds us of who we truly are — servants dependent on His mercy — and who Allah is, the Most Forgiving and the Most Loving.
English Translation and Meaning: “O Allah, You are my Lord; none has the right to be worshipped except You. You created me, and I am Your servant, and I abide by Your covenant and promise as best as I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge Your favor upon me, and I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me, for none forgives sins except You.”
This dua teaches us to begin with recognition of Allah’s greatness, confess our mistakes with honesty, and end with hope in His endless mercy. It carries the soul from guilt to peace — from fear to closeness — reminding every believer that no sin is too great when the heart sincerely turns back to Allah.

Virtues and Benefits of Sayyidul Istighfar

The virtues of Sayyidul Istighfar (سَيِّدُ الِاسْتِغْفَارِ) are truly remarkable and come directly from the words of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. In Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 6306), the Prophet said:
“Whoever recites Sayyidul Istighfar with firm belief in the morning and dies before evening — or recites it in the evening and dies before morning — will be admitted into Jannah.”
This hadith shows the incredible mercy of Allah and the special status of this dua. Sayyidul Istighfar is not just a supplication; it is a renewal of faith, humility, and complete trust in Allah ﷻ. Through it, the believer admits their mistakes, seeks forgiveness, and reaffirms their devotion to the One who always forgives. Reciting this dua regularly purifies the heart, removes the burden of sins, and fills the soul with peace and sakīnah (tranquility). It strengthens tawbah (repentance), tawakkul (trust in Allah), and shukr (gratitude). With every sincere recitation, the believer feels closer to Allah — reminded that true peace and success are found only in His mercy.

FAQs — Sayyidul Istighfar

Sayyidul Istighfar (سَيِّدُ الِاسْتِغْفَارِ) means “The Master of Seeking Forgiveness.” The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ described it as the most noble and complete form of istighfar because it brings together humility, faith, and hope in Allah’s rahmah (mercy). It’s more than a prayer — it’s a heartfelt return to Allah.

This dua is preserved in Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 6306) and narrated by Shaddād ibn Aws رضي الله عنه. The Prophet ﷺ taught it as the most complete way to repent — admitting one’s mistakes, recognizing Allah’s favors, and placing full tawakkul (trust) in His forgiveness.

The Prophet ﷺ encouraged believers to recite it after Fajr and after Maghrib, the quiet moments when hearts are calm and angels record every word of dhikr. These are times when Allah’s rahmah descends most abundantly.

Yes. Although morning and evening are the best times, you can recite it anytime — after prayer, before sleeping, during tahajjud, or whenever your heart seeks forgiveness. Every recitation draws you closer to Allah and renews your peace.

Reciting it every day purifies the heart, strengthens īmān (faith), and fills life with sakīnah (peace). The Prophet ﷺ said that whoever recites it sincerely in the morning or evening and dies before the next, will enter Jannah — a promise of Allah’s mercy for those who repent sincerely.

Yes. It’s a form of dhikr and du‘ā’, not ṣalāh. Women may continue remembering Allah, seeking forgiveness, and making dua in all states. Allah’s door of mercy never closes.

There’s no fixed number. What matters is ikhlās (sincerity) and khushū‘ (presence of heart). Even one recitation, made with full awareness, is precious in Allah’s sight.

Both are beautiful forms of remembrance. Astaghfirullah is simple and powerful, while Sayyidul Istighfar is more detailed — praising Allah, confessing shortcomings, and expressing hope in His forgiveness. It’s the most complete version of istighfar.

Yes. You can recite it and ask Allah to forgive others too. The mercy of Allah ﷻ is vast — it embraces everyone who turns to Him sincerely.

Let your heart feel humility, remorse, and hope. Reciting it is a personal moment between you and Allah — a whispered munājāt where guilt turns into peace and distance turns into closeness.
Mohammed Basheer
sukoonly.com@gmail.com – Web

Mohammed Basheer Orsala is the founder of Sukoonly.com - an Islamic resource dedicated to verified Quranic duas and Sunnah-based supplications. A self-taught Islamic researcher, he has studied classical texts and authenticated hadith collections including the works of Imam al-Nawawi, Shaykh al-Albani, Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, and Ibn al-Qayyim. He writes to make verified Prophetic supplications accessible to English-speaking Muslims worldwide.