Assalamu Alaikum my dear 

I hope your heart is calm, your soul steady, and your mind open to reflection. 

Today’s {Heart to Heart} is about something so simple, yet so profoundly transformative—it’s the quiet thread that connects us to Allah subuhanawut’ala through every season of life.

It’s istighfar—seeking forgiveness.

Now, when most people think of istighfar, they connect it to sin. And yes, when we make mistakes, when we slip, istighfar is our refuge. But it is so much more than that.

Istighfar is not reserved only for moments of guilt. It is the foundation of our relationship with Allah subuhanawut’ala.

It’s what we return to in every condition—whether in sin, in success, in struggle, or in serenity.

And the best evidence of that?

Think about what we’re commanded to say after completing one of the most sacred acts we do each day—Salah. We don’t celebrate. We don’t say “I did it.” We say: Astaghfirullah.

Three times.

Why? Because even in worship, there is imperfection. Even in the most sacred moments, we are in need of His mercy.

And then think of Surah An-Nasr. A surah revealed to the Prophet ﷺ after Fath Makkah, the greatest worldly triumph of his mission. What was he told to do?

“Glorify the praises of your Lord and seek His forgiveness.” (Qur’an, 110:3)

At the height of success, the command wasn’t to relax. It was to praise and seek forgiveness.

This teaches us something remarkable: the higher we rise, the deeper our humility must grow. And the gateway to humility is istighfar.

Because istighfar isn’t just for cleansing sin. It’s for purifying the nafs. It reminds us that no matter how far we’ve come, we are always in need of Allah’s mercy. Always dependent. Always returning.

And that’s the essence of connection.

One of my favorite stories on this topic is of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal—rahimahullah. You may have heard it.

Late in his life, traveling in disguise, he once stayed the night in a bakery. The baker was up through the night preparing dough—and repeating astaghfirullah with every movement.

Imam Ahmad asked him, “Do you always do this?”

The baker replied, “Yes. For years.”

Then Imam Ahmad asked, “Have you seen any benefit from it?”

The man responded, “By Allah, every du’a I make is answered—except one.”

“And what is that?” Imam Ahmad asked.

He said, “I’ve been asking Allah to let me meet Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal.”

Imam Ahmad smiled and said, “SubhanAllah. Allah didn’t just let you meet me—He brought me to your doorstep.”

What a beautiful testimony to the power of consistent istighfar.

My dear, if there’s one practice you carry with you in every condition—in joy, in pain, in victory, in silence—let it be istighfar.

It’s your anchor. It’s your shield. It’s your invitation to mercy.

Start with a simple goal. Say Astaghfirullah 100 times a day. Do it while walking, while driving, while waiting. Let it soften your heart. Let it cleanse your soul. Let it deepen your connection with the One who never tires of forgiving.

May Allah subuhanawut’ala make us among those who return to Him often—and are welcomed every time.

With love and gratitude,
Rushdhi

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