The Holy Quran instructs us to seek forgiveness from Allah Almighty on a regular basis, while we are still alive and able to do so. If we die without seeking forgiveness from Allah, Satan would punish us severely for our misdeeds. Reading the Fifth Kalma (Forgiveness) is also a way of asking Allah Almighty for pardon.
What is 5th kalima Astaghfaar?
The term Astaghfaar (استغفار) signifies “Apology for sins or flaws”. The Fifth Kalima Astaghfar signifies a believer begging forgiveness from Allah for his misdeeds and sufferings, whether they were committed knowingly or unknowingly. The power of Astaghfar and Tauba, which are the ultimate qualities of forgiveness near Allah, compels a Muslim to drive away sins and cleanse his soul by saying the Kalima Astaghfar.
اسْتَغْفِرُ اللّهَ رَبِّىْ مِنْ كُلِّ ذَنْبٍ اَذْنَبْتُه عَمَدًا اَوْ خَطَاً سِرًّا اَوْ عَلَانِيَةً وَاَتُوْبُ اِلَيْهِ مِنْ الذَّنْبِ الَّذِىْ اَعْلَمُ وَ مِنْ الذَّنْبِ الَّذِىْ لا اَعْلَمُ اِنَّكَ اَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الغُيُبِ وَ سَتَّارُ الْعُيُوْبِ و َغَفَّارُ الذُّنُوْبِ وَ لا حَوْلَ وَلا قُوَّةَ اِلَّا بِاللّهِ الْعَلِىِّ العَظِيْم’
Meaning Of 5th kalima
Astaghfiru-llaaha Rabbi Min Kulli Dhambin Adhnabtuhoo ‘Amadan Aw Khata-an Sirran Aw ‘Alaaniyata-wn Wa-atoobu Ilaihi Min-adh Dhambi-l Ladhee A’lamu Wamina-dh Dhambi-l Ladhi Laaa A’lamu Innaka Anta ‘Allaamu-l Ghuyoobi Wasattaaru-l ‘Uyoobi Wa Ghaffaaru-dh Dhunubi Walaa Hawla Walaa Quwwata Illaa Billaahi-l ‘Aliyyil ‘Azeem.
Translation in English:
“I seek forgiveness from Allah, my Lord, from every sin I committed knowingly or unknowingly, secretly or openly, and I turn towards Him from the sin that I know and from the sin that I do not know. Certainly You, You (are) the knower of the hidden things and the Concealer (of) the mistakes and the Forgiver (of) the sins. And (there is) no power and no strength except from Allah, the Most High, the Most Great”
Translation In urdu:
“Main Allah Se mafi mangta hun jo mera rab hai, apne har us gunah se jo maine jan buzkar kiya ya bhul kar kiya chhup kar kiya ya zahiran kiya aur main uski bargah me tauba karta hu ush gunah se jisko main janta hun aur us gunah se bhi main jisko nahi janta. ay allah beshk tu gaibo ko janne vala he aur aaibo ko chhupane vala aur gunaho ko bakhshne vala hai. aur gunah se bachne ki taakt aur neki karnekikuvvat nahi magr allah ki madad se jo bahot buland azmatwala hain.”
Concept of 5th kalima (Forgiveness):
Forgiveness offers peace of mind to individual who sincerely feels awful about what they have done. The advantages are enormous; a sincere and thoughtful apology from the heart removes the load that a person is carrying.
As a result, you may break free from the past and build a strong, functional, and healthy body and mind for the future. Stress, worry, and remorse are silent killers that take their toll gradually but steadily over time. To get rid of the past, we need to become conscious of the things we’ve done wrong and really repent.
The previous should be considered as a lesson from which we may learn. It may have been a difficult institution for some, so don’t be too hard on yourself, but do learn from it.
What Quran Says about Forgiveness?
The Quran encourages believers to seek forgiveness and the benefits that come with it.
“Ask your Creator for forgiveness and then apologize to Him.” He will shower you with [rain from] the heavens, and he will increase your power [added] to your strength.”
(11:52 in the Quran)
“And [saying], ‘Seek forgiveness from your Lord and repent to Him, and He will provide you excellent provision.”
(11:3 in the Quran)
“And say, ‘Relieve us of our troubles,'” she continues. We will then forgive your sins on your behalf, and We will increase the good doers [in goodness and reward].”
(2:58 in the Quran)
To supplicate to Allah and seek for his pardon, the Fifth Kalima should be learnt.
Benefits of 5th kalima in light of Ahadees
According to Hazrat Muhammad (SAW),
“Allah, the Most High and Most Honorable, will accept His servant’s pardon till his death cycle begins.”
( Hadith 18 by Al-Tirmidhi)
In addition, Allah’s Messenger stated:
“To Him, I say!” More than seventy times a day, I beg Allah for forgiveness and turn to Him in repentance.”
(Book 75 of the Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith 319)
Sunan Abi Dawud hadith 1516, which Al-Albani classed as Saheeh, highlights the need of continually seeking Allah for pardon.
The Prophet in a meet was recorded to We counted that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would say a hundred times during a meeting: “My Lord, forgive me and pardon me; Thou art the Pardoning and forgiving One”.
The Prophet, the man who Jannah is guaranteed would ask for Allah’s repentance hundred times while in a meeting. This same message was repeated in Sahih Muslim 2702 a.
Al-Agharr al-Muzani, who was one amongst the Companions (of the Holy Prophet) reported that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: There is (at times) some sort of shade upon my heart, and I seek forgiveness from Allah a hundred times a day.
Reciting the fifth kalima is a great supplication for those seeking forgiveness. But simply reciting duas is not the only way to be forgiven. Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala wants for us to do good and succeed.
In another Sahih hadith Al-Adab Al Mufrad 380, it was reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,
“Show mercy and you will be shown mercy. Forgive and Allah will forgive you. Woe to the vessels that catch words (i.e. the ears). Woe to those who persist and consciously continue in what they are doing.”
How 5th Kalima Astaghfaar impacts the life of a Muslim?
In the life of a Muslim, the attributes of Astaghfar and Tauba are extremely essential. Without these activities, we will be unable to receive Allah’s forgiveness and repentance. The continuous recitation of the 5th Kalima pledges a believer to repent of his crimes and significant shortcomings, to carry out his responsibilities in accordance with Allah’s will, and to safeguard his life in this world and the Afterlife.
Conclusion
The Fifth Kalima Astaghfar signifies a believer begging forgiveness from Allah for his misdeeds and sufferings, whether they were committed knowingly or unknowingly. The continuous recitation of the 5th Kalima pledges a believer to repent of his crimes and significant shortcomings. Stress, worry, and remorse are silent killers that take their toll gradually but steadily over time. To get rid of the past, we need to become conscious of the things we’ve done wrong and really repent.
Read more about 4th Kalima Tauheed with English Translation.
