Role of Istighfar in Forgiveness of Sins, Deliverance from Hell
The importance of this effect of Istighfar is that if a person can be delivered from the fire of hell by their sins being forgiven, he has achieved eternal happiness and salvation: “Whoever is removed from Hell and is admitted to Paradise shall prosper.” (Verse 185 of Surah Al Imran).
Many verses in the Holy Quran refer to the forgiveness of sins as a result of Istighfar; for example, in Surah Al Imran, there is an invitation to rush towards forgiveness and endless Paradise (Verse 133).
In the next verse, while pointing to some good deeds, God says: “Hasten to obtain forgiveness from your Lord and to qualify yourselves for Paradise. Paradise, vast as the heavens and the earth, is prepared for the pious who spend their property for the cause of God in prosperity as well as in adversity and who also harness their anger and forgive the people. God loves the righteous ones. (Verses 133-134 of Surah Al Imran).
This shows that giving (charity) both in times of hardship and prosperity, suppressing anger and pardoning people’s mistakes and being kind to them have the effect of helping sins being forgiven.
God says in the next verse: “(Paradise) is also for those who, when committing a sin or doing injustice to themselves, remember God and ask Him to forgive their sins. Who can forgive sins besides God? And who do not knowingly persist in their mistakes?” (Verse 135 of Surah Al Imran)
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This verse mentions conditions for seeking forgiveness that have an effect on the forgiveness of sins. In the next verse, in harmony with the initial verse (Verse 133), it mentions two rewards, the first of which is forgiveness of sins:
“Their reward will be forgiveness from their Lord and gardens wherein streams flow and wherein they will live forever. How blessed is the reward of those who labor.” (Verse 136 of Surah Al Imran)
The final phrase of this verse shows that seeking forgiveness is considered an action and is not just a remembrance of the heart and tongue.
