Istighfar Basis for Seeking Divine Help
After referring to the “rabbiyun” (religious scholars) who fought alongside the prophets (Verse 146 of Surah Al Imran), the Holy Quran states that when they encountered difficulties in the face of the enemy, instead of leaving the field to the enemy or surrendering, they turned to God and, while asking for forgiveness for their sins, they asked for patience and perseverance.
God Almighty says in the next verse: “Their only words were: ‘Lord, forgive us our sins and that we exceeded in our affair, make us firm of foot and give us victory over the unbelievers.’” (Verse 147 of Surah Al Imran).
Interestingly, first comes the Istighfar (asking for forgiveness) and then asking for help; that is, asking for forgiveness is the basis for asking for help from Allah.
The next verse mentions the fruits of their work as enjoying divine reward in this world and a good reward in the Hereafter:
“God gave them their reward in this world and the best reward of the life to come. God loves the righteous ones.” (Verse 148 of Surah Al Imran)
Therefore, there is a great difference between the rewards of this world and the rewards of the Hereafter. (Along with sweetness) there is also some bitterness in the rewards of this world, but the reward of the Hereafter is altogether good.
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The Bani Isra’il (Israelites) at the time of Prophet Moses (AS) were commanded to seek forgiveness when entering the gate of al-Quds (Jerusalem) after forty years in the desert of Tiyah, while observing the manners and expressing humility and submissiveness:
“And when We said: ‘Enter this city, then eat from it a plenteous (food) wherever you wish, and enter the gate making obeisance, and (ask for) forgiveness. We will forgive you your wrongs and give more to those who do good (to others).” (Verse 58 of Surah Al-Baqarah)
The word “Hitta” in this verse literally means to drop, and here it means that “O God, we ask You to drop our sins”. In fact, it can be considered a kind of asking for forgiveness in Hebrew; therefore, in this verse, the mention of asking for forgiveness is a factor in the forgiveness of sins and the enjoyment of divine reward.
