At a glance
أستغفر الله
- Transliteration
- astaghfiru Allāh, often written astaghfirullah
- Pronunciation
- as-tagh-FI-rul-LAH
- Literal meaning
- I seek God's forgiveness
- Everyday sense
- God forgive me, God forbid
- Said when
- asking forgiveness, or showing dismay at something wrong
Where the phrase comes from
Astaghfirullah is a short form of astaghfiru Allah. Astaghfiru means "I ask forgiveness" and comes from the same root as ghafara, "to forgive", while Allah means "God". Together they read "I seek God's forgiveness".
The same root gives Al-Ghafur and Al-Ghaffar, names of God usually translated as "the Most Forgiving" and "the Oft-Forgiving", which are among the 99 names of Allah.
When Muslims say astaghfirullah
The main use is istighfar, which means asking God for forgiveness. Muslims say astaghfirullah after a mistake or a sin, at the end of the daily prayer, and at any time of day as a habit of remembrance.
Many Muslims also say it as a reaction when they hear or see something wrong, improper or shocking. In that use it works like "God forbid" in English and shows disapproval, dismay or a wish to stay away from it. The tone of voice and the situation show which meaning is intended.
Seeking forgiveness in Islam
Seeking forgiveness is a regular part of Muslim life, not only a response to a serious sin. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that he sought God's forgiveness and turned to Him more than seventy times a day, according to Abu Hurairah in Sahih al-Bukhari.
For this reason many Muslims make istighfar a daily habit. Scholars have written at length about repentance, known as tawbah. This page explains the phrase and does not give rulings.
Astaghfirullah and related phrases
Astaghfirullah sits alongside several other phrases of remembrance. This table shows how they compare.
| Phrase | Arabic | Meaning | When it is used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Astaghfirullah | أستغفر الله | I seek God's forgiveness | Asking forgiveness, or showing dismay |
| Astaghfirullah al-azim | أستغفر الله العظيم | I seek forgiveness from God the Almighty | A fuller form of istighfar |
| Astaghfirullah wa atubu ilayh | أستغفر الله وأتوب إليه | I seek God's forgiveness and turn back to Him | Asking forgiveness and repenting |
| La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah | لا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله | There is no power or strength except with God | Said in difficulty, or to ask for God's help |
| Subhanallah | سبحان الله | Glory be to God | Wonder, or glorifying God |
| Alhamdulillah | الحمد لله | Praise be to God | Thanks for a blessing, or "I am well" |
Examples of astaghfirullah in a sentence
- Astaghfirullah, I made a mistake.
- I seek God's forgiveness, I made a mistake.
- Astaghfirullah, I should not have said that.
- I seek God's forgiveness, I should not have said that.
- Astaghfirullah! What a terrible thing to say.
- God forbid! What a terrible thing to say.
Common questions
What does astaghfirullah mean?
Astaghfirullah means "I seek God's forgiveness". Muslims say it to ask God to forgive a mistake or a sin, and as a regular act of remembrance. People also say it as an exclamation of dismay when they hear something wrong or shocking, much like "God forbid" in English.
When do Muslims say astaghfirullah?
They say it after a mistake or a sin, after finishing the daily prayer, and at any time as a habit of remembrance. Many also say it when they hear or see something improper, to show disapproval or dismay. The tone of voice and the situation show which meaning the speaker has in mind.
Is astaghfirullah only said after a sin?
No. Muslims also say it as a regular act of remembrance. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that he sought God's forgiveness more than seventy times a day, according to Abu Hurairah in Sahih al-Bukhari. Many people say it simply to keep God in mind and ask forgiveness for anything they may have missed.
How do you write astaghfirullah in Arabic?
In Arabic it is written أستغفر الله, from right to left, as two words. In English you will see astaghfirullah, astaghfirullaah, astaghfiru Allah and astagfirullah. They are all the same phrase. The spellings differ only because Arabic sounds can be written in Latin letters in several ways.
How do you pronounce astaghfirullah?
Say it as as-tagh-FI-rul-LAH, with the stress on the third and last parts. The gh is a throaty sound, similar to a soft French r, and the double l in Allah is held a little longer. Say it slowly at first if you are learning, then speed up.
Explore more Arabic phrases
- Subhanallahسبحان اللهGlory be to God. Said in wonder and as a phrase of remembrance.
- Alhamdulillahالحمد للهPraise be to God. Thanks for a blessing and the usual reply to how are you.
- Inshallahإن شاء اللهIf God wills. How Muslims talk about plans and hopes for the future.
- WallahiواللهBy God. The Arabic oath used to stress that something is true.
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This page is a general guide. For your own situation, please consult a qualified scholar.