Every human being inevitably stumbles into error. None of us are exempt from sin, whether intentional or not. However, the best of those who err are those who immediately return to Allah. The good news is, the door of Allah SWT forgiveness is always open. One of the best ways to seek that forgiveness is by performing the Salat al-Tawbah (Prayer of Repentance).
Perhaps you are wondering: What is the legal basis (dalil) for this prayer? How is it performed correctly? Is it done before or after seeking forgiveness (istighfar)?
In this article, we will dissect the discussion about the repentance prayer (sholat taubat) based on references from the book Hasyiyah Al-Bujairimi ‘ala Al-Khatib as well as the evidence from the Prophet Muhammad SAW’s hadith. Let us examine the evidence so that our worship becomes more grounded and sincere.
Hadith Evidence for Salat al-Tawbah
Before delving into the technical discussion of the book Al-Bujairimi, it is important to understand the basis of the hadith upon which the legitimacy of this prayer is founded. Scholars of Islamic jurisprudence, including those within the Shafi’i school of thought, rely on a well-known hadith narrated by the noble companion, Abu Bakar As-Siddiq r.a.
Abu Bakr (RA) said: ‘I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say:
نص الحديث : مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ يُذْنِبُ ذَنْبًا فَيُحْسِنُ الطُّهُورَ , ثُمَّ يَقُومُ فَيُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ , ثُمَّ يَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ إِلَّا غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ
Meaning: “No servant commits a sin, then performs purification properly (ablution), then stands to pray two rak’ahs, and then asks forgiveness from Allah, but Allah will surely forgive him.” (Narrated by: Abu Daud no. 1521, Tirmidhi no. 406, and Ibn Majah no. 1395)
This ḥadīth forms the foundation of discussion in fiqh books, including that explained by Sheikh Al-Bujairimi, that this two-rakʿah prayer is a sunnah for anyone who wishes to repent.
Should Prayer Come Before Istighfar?
In the book Hasyiyah Al-Bujairimi, there is an interesting discussion regarding the order of performing the repentance prayer. Should we pray first then seek forgiveness, or vice versa?
Quoting the opinion of Al-‘Anani, this book explains that the most important order is to perform the prayer first, and then repent (seek forgiveness).
Read also: What is the Meaning of Prayer According to Terminology
The reasoning is clear. Prayer functions as a wasilah (means/intermediary). Just as we want to meet a king, we perform preliminary etiquette so that our arrival is accepted.
The following is the original text from the book Hasyiyah Al-Bujairimi ‘ala Al-Khatib (Volume 1, pages 428-429):
وعبارة العناني : الصلاة قبل التوبة بدليل قوله : ثم يستغفر الله وأيضا فإن الصلاة وسيلة لقبول التوبة والوسيلة مقدمة على المقصد .
Meaning: “Al-‘Anani stated: Prayer is performed before repentance (seeking forgiveness) based on the Prophet’s saying: ‘then he sought forgiveness.’ Also, because prayer is a wasilah (means) for the acceptance of repentance, and the means are prioritized over the goal.”
So, the practical sequence is: Perform Wudhu → Pray 2 Rak’ahs → Sit and supplicate & seek forgiveness. Also, understand the meaning of repentance in our article The Essence of Repentance and its Proofs.
How to Perform Salat al-Tawbah Step by Step
Here are the detailed steps for performing the repentance prayer (ṣalāt al-tawbah) that you can practice at any time (except during times when prayer is Ḥarām, such as after the Fajr prayer until sunrise, and after the ‘Asr prayer until sunset, except for prayers that have a specific reason):
1. Intention for the Repentance Prayer
The intention is formed in the heart simultaneously with the Takbirat alIḥrām. Pronouncing it verbally is sunnah (recommended) to help focus the heart.
Arab:
أُصَلِّيْ سُنَّةَ التَّوْبَةِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ لِلَّهِ تَعَالَى
Uṣallī sunnata-t-tawbati rakʿatayni lillāhi taʿālā.
Meaning: “I intend to perform the two-rak’ah Sunnah prayer of repentance for the sake of Allah Ta’ala.”
2. The First Raka’ah
- Reading the Iftitah prayer (sunnah).
- Reading Surah Al-Fatihah (obligatory).
- Reading a short chapter (surah). You are free to choose any surah, but it is often recommended to read QS. Al-Kafirun or another surah that you have memorized well to be more focused.
3. The Second Rak’ah
- Reading Surah Al-Fatihah (obligatory).
- Reading a short chapter. It is recommended to read QS. Al-Ikhlas.
4. The Final Prostration (Important)
During the final prostration, before rising for the final tahiyat, increase your supplication in your heart, asking for forgiveness. The prostration position is the position where a servant is closest to their Lord.
5. Greetings
After the salam, do not immediately get up. This is the core time of your repentance process as explained in the article on the sunnah and importance of prayer before the salam in prayer here.
Recommended Supplications After the Prayer
After finishing the prayer, sit calmly. Bring forth a deep sense of remorse. The following is the recommended sequence of wirid and supplication:
1. Reciting Istighfar (At least 33 times or 100 times)
Begin with a simple yet heartfelt istighfar, as commanded in the hadith above (“Then he sought forgiveness”).
Arab:
أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ الْعَظِيْمَ الَّذِي لاَ إِلهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ وَ أَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ
Translation: Uṣallī sunnata-t-tawbati rakʿatayni lillāhi taʿālā
Meaning: “I seek forgiveness from Allah, the Most Great, there is no god but He, the Ever-Living, the Self-Sustaining, and I repent to Him.”
2. Reciting Sayyidul Istighfar (The Master of Seeking Forgiveness)
This is the most important form of istighfar (seeking forgiveness) and is highly recommended to be read after the repentance prayer.
Arab:
اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ وَأَبُوءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ
Translation: Allāhumma anta rabbī lā ilāha illā anta, khalaqtanī wa-anā ʿabduka, wa-anā ʿalā ʿahdika wa-waʿdika mā staṭaʿtu. Aʿūdhu bika min sharri mā ṣanaʿtu, abūʾu laka bi-niʿmatika ʿalayya wa-abūʾu laka bi-dhanbī, faghfir lī fa-innahu lā yaghfiru al-dhunūba illā anta.
Meaning: “O Allah, You are my Lord, there is no deity worthy of worship except You. You have created me, and I am Your servant. I fulfill Your covenant and promise to the best of my ability. I seek refuge in You from the evil of my deeds, I acknowledge Your blessings upon me, and I confess my sins to You, so forgive me. For there is none who can forgive sins except You.”
3. The Repentance Prayer of Prophet Adam (QS. Al-A’raf: 23)
Arab:
رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَا أَنْفُسَنَا وَإِنْ لَمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ
Rabbanā ẓalamnā anfusanā wa-in lam taghfir lanā wa-tarḥamnā la-nakūnanna mina al-khāsirīn.
“Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.”
The Danger of Delaying Repentance
One important point emphasized in the book Al-Bujairimi is a strong warning against delaying repentance (taswif). If you realize you are committing a sin, immediately purify yourself and pray.
The book warns that delaying repentance (taswif) is itself a sin. If someone delays repentance, they bear two sins: the sin of the transgression itself and the sin of negligence due to delaying repentance.
The book Al-Bujairimi concludes its discussion with a very touching verse of advice:
بادر إلى التوبة في وقتها … فالمرء مرهون بما قد جناه
وانتهز الفرصة إن أمكنت … ما فاز بالكرم سوى من جناه
Meaning: “Hasten to repent in its time… For a person is pledged by what he has done. And take advantage of opportunity when it presents itself… No one is fortunate in attaining glory except the one who seizes it.”
Conclusion
Prayer and supplication are means, but the essence of repentance lies in sincere remorse. The core of sincere repentance lies in An-Nadam (heartfelt remorse), At-Tarku (complete cessation), and Al-‘Azm (determination not to repeat the sin).
May this guide to the repentance prayer based on the Prophet’s ḥadīth and the explanation of the Kitab Al-Bujairimi be beneficial to you. Do not wait for later, for breath may cease at any moment. Take ablution water now, and return to Allah.
