Istighfar of Shu’aib Abu Madyan

‘Read! In the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, Who Created-‘

Surah Al Alaq, verse 1 the first Revelation

Assalamualaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh, my dear brothers and sisters.

I don’t know how to describe what I felt as I read this but needless to say, it opened a floodgate of tears. Every line touched a raw nerve in me and made me see, despite my good intentions and deeds, there is still so much more I have to be contrite and repentant for…

ISTIGHFAR OF SHU’AIB ABU MADYAN

I seek God’s pardon, Who moves the spheres in their course in the darkness like the swell of surging waves.

I seek God’s pardon, Who saves the suppliant when (false) knowledge threatens him with harm.

I seek God’s pardon, Who forgives the sins of one who comes to Him broken, humble and full of regret.

I seek God’s pardon, Who covers the faults of blemished men and snatches them from His own vengeance.

I seek God’s pardon, for what I utter, for my (so called) virtue, for the shamefulness of my affair, my form and characteristics.

I seek God’s pardon, for my private and public state, for the fickleness of my heart and the (self-satisfied) smile upon my lips.

I seek God’s pardon, for what I hear and see, for my hidden thoughts and notions, as also for my words.

I seek God’s pardon, for my speech, my deficiencies, my greater sins and misdemeanors.

I seek God’s pardon, for the wrongs my hands have wrought and the evil my steps have turned to.

I seek God’s pardon, for what I have failed to achieve and what I gained for my own profit since reaching maturity.

I seek God’s pardon, for (the state of) my soul, for my breath, for my idle thoughts, as also for my dangerous and lustful imaginings.

I seek God’s pardon, for my natural state, my greediness and the deterioration of my (spiritual) state in sickness.

I seek God’s pardon, for saying “I”, “with me”, “mine”, “in my possession”, for my opinions and oaths.

I seek God’s pardon, for my sleeping and dozing and waking and the immunity I have snatched by my sleeping.

I seek God’s pardon, both day and night and for the morrow before it exposes my deficiency.

I seek God’s pardon, for my youthful conflict with the aged and venerable.

I seek God’s pardon, for as long as breezes blow from the Yemen and streams flow in hills and valleys.

I seek God’s pardon, for as long as the pilgrims journey to places hallowed by absolution and sacrosanctity.

I seek God’s pardon, as many times as there are letters, verses and maxims in Holy Scriptures.

I seek God’s pardon, as many times as there are pasturing camels, worlds on the horizon (of heaven) and mountain peaks on earth.

I seek God’s pardon, as many times as there are plants, as the riches of the deep and the flocks of beasts on land.

I seek God’s pardon, as many times as there are winds, things to eat and shares thereof.

I seek God’s pardon, as many times as there are stars, seen or unseen in the black darkness of space.

I seek God’s pardon, as many times as the sands or the rains which water the earth.

I seek God’s pardon, as many times as there are men and jinn, Arabs and non-Arabs.

I seek God’s pardon, as many as are the thoughts in the hearts and minds of wise and mature men.

All majesty be to God, Our Creator, Maker of all things, Giver of life to mouldering bones.

All majesty be to God, our Provider, the Bestower of blessings and abundance, He to Whom is ascribed all Bounty.

All majesty be His, many times the things I have mentioned.

Finally, blessing be upon the Chosen of Mudar, the best of creation, best of those who weep or smile.