Seeking Forgiveness in Second Ashrah – Days of Maghfirah

Seeking Forgiveness in the Second Ashra of Ramadan

Written & Reviewed by Mufti Habib Ahmed

Mufti Habib Ahmed is a Dars‑e‑Nizami graduate from Jamia Farooqia Karachi, and specialization in Fiqh from Jamia Binoria Almia International Karachi, Pakistan . This article is based directly on his original Ramadan guidance.

The first ten days of Ramadan bring mercy. The second Ashra brings forgiveness. These are the ten days when a believer turns back to Allah Subḥānahu wa Ta‘ālā and asks for pardon. If the first Ashra softened our hearts, now is the time to clean them properly.

This part of Ramadan pushes us to look at ourselves honestly. It is about owning up to our mistakes, facing where we slipped, and asking Allah sincerely to forgive us.

What Does Maghfirah Really Mean?

Maghfirah does not only mean that sins are forgiven. It also means they are covered and their effects are removed.

Allah Subḥānahu wa Ta‘ālā says:

(Surah Nuh 71:10) فَقُلْتُ اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ اِنَّهٝ كَانَ غَفَّارًا

Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is Ever‑Forgiving.

(Surah An‑Nisa 4:110) وَمَنْ يَّعْمَلْ سُوْءًا اَوْ يَظْلِمْ نَفْسَهٝ ثُمَّ يَسْتَغْفِرِ اللّٰهَ يَجِدِ اللّٰهَ غَفُوْرًا رَّحِيْمًا

Whoever does wrong or wrongs himself, then seeks forgiveness of Allah, will find Allah Forgiving and Merciful.

No matter how many sins we carry, Allah’s forgiveness is greater.

No sin is too big for the mercy of Allah.

What Makes Repentance Real?

True repentance is more than words. It includes:

Real regret in the heart.

Stopping the sin immediately.

A firm decision not to return to it.

Making things right if we hurt someone.

(Muslim) التَّائِبُ مِنَ الذَّنْبِ كَمَنْ لَا ذَنْبَ لَهُ

"The one who repents from sin is like the one who never sinned.”

Take a Moment and Reflect

As the first Ashra ends, ask yourself:

• Did my prayers improve?
• Did I try to understand the Quran, not just recite it?
• Did I control my tongue from gossip and lies?
• Did I bring hearts together instead of breaking them?

If you notice gaps, don’t beat yourself up. Noticing them is the first step to fixing them.

Make Istighfar Part of Your Routine

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ sought forgiveness more than seventy times a day, even though he was free from sin. We need it even more.

اَسْتَغْفِرُاللّٰهَ رَبِّی مِنْ كُلِّ ذَنْبٍ وَّاَتُوْبُ اِلَيْهِ
Astaghfirullāha Rabbī min kulli dhanbin wa atūbu ilayh
I seek forgiveness from Allah, my Lord, for every sin and I turn back to Him.

رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِيْ وَتُبْ عَلَيَّ اِنَّكَ اَنْتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيْمُ (Tirmidhī)
Rabbighfir lī wa tub ‘alayya innaka anta at‑Tawwābur‑Raḥīm
My Lord, forgive me and accept my repentance. You are the Most Accepting, the Most Merciful.

Increase Istighfar after Fajr, during Suhoor, and just before Iftar — these are powerful moments.

Clean the Inside Too

Forgiveness is not just about outward sins. It is also about what is inside the heart.

Envy, arrogance, grudges, and showing off can quietly eat away at good deeds. Use this Ashra to clear them out.

• Forgive someone you are upset with.
• Reconnect with someone you drifted away from.
• Say sorry where you need to.

Do Not Lose Hope

Shayṭān makes people think their sins are too many. That thought is a trap. Allah’s mercy is wider than our mistakes.

As long as we are alive, the door of repentance is open.

Let This Ashra Change You

Do not let these ten days pass like routine. Let them turn your life around. Cry over your mistakes. Fix what you can. Make a strong decision to live for Allah.

If we change now, the last ten nights and Laylatul Qadr will feel different. They will mean something real.

May Allah Subḥānahu wa Ta‘ālā grant us sincere repentance, full forgiveness, and real reform in our lives. Āmīn.