Istighfar Is Foundation for Acceptance of Prayer

IQNA – Sin prevents prayer from rising, and Istighfar (seeking divine forgiveness) before praying is the foundation for the prayer to be accepted and answered.

As mentioned before, in Verse 147 of Surah Al Imran in the Holy Quran, Istighfar is mentioned before seeking divine help.

According to Verse 35 of Surah Saad, Prophet Solomon (AS) seeks forgiveness before praying and asking God for a kingdom: “He said: ‘Forgive me my Lord, and give me a kingdom the like of which will not befall any after me, surely, You are the Giver.’“

One of the Surahs in which the prophets repeatedly call people to seek forgiveness and repent is Surah Hud.

Prophet Salih (AS) says that he told the people of Thamud: “My people, worship God; He is your only Lord. It is He who has created you from the earth and has settled you therein. Seek forgiveness from Him and turn to Him in repentance. My Lord is certainly close to everyone and He hears all prayers.” (Verse 61 of Surah Hud)

Therefore, seeking forgiveness and repentance are the basis for drawing close to God and having supplications answered and accepted, because sin prevents supplications from ascending and being answered. As the Commander of the Faithful (AS) says in the Kumail Supplication: “O Allah, forgive me the sins that prevent supplication from being answered.”