Why perform Tawba?
When we commit an act for which we feel remorse, it becomes a burden upon our existence and holds us back from moving on and living upto our full potential. To break this cycle of self-sabotage, repentance is necessary. Tawba (repentance) cleanses your soul, allows you to let go of your past and create a better future.
Tawba in Quran and Ahadith
The following Quranic commandment emphasizes the importance to visit someone who is a beloved of Allah and ask for his mediation for forgiveness of sins. Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) says, if the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) agrees and mediates on the person's behalf, then Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) will surely forgive that person's sins.
It is in Quran - وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ إِذ ظَّلَمُوا أَنفُسَهُمْ جَاءُوكَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُوا اللَّهَ وَاسْتَغْفَرَ لَهُمُ الرَّسُولُ لَوَجَدُوا اللَّهَ تَوَّابًا رَّحِيمًا- [ And if, they wronged themselves and come humbly to you (O' Prophet ﷺ) and asked forgiveness of Allah, and the Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) also intercedes for them, they would find Allah accepting of repentance and most Merciful. ]..(An-Nisa - 64)
Since Quranic teachings are for all the time, the above commandment is valid till the day of Resurrection. This view is held by (i) Ibn Kathir in his Tafseer, (ii) Baihaqi in Shob-ul-Iman, (iii) Qurtubi in 'Al-Jami-ul-Ahkam al-Quran, etc.
Imam Malik was asked the following question by the Caliph Abu Ja`far al- Mansur.
‘Shall I face the Qibla with my back towards the grave of the Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) when making du`a (after salams)?’ He replied, ‘how could you turn your face away from him (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) when he is the means (wasila) of your and your father Adam's (عليه السلام) forgiveness to Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) on the Day of Resurrection? Nay, face him and ask for his intercession (Istashfi bihi) so that Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) will grant it to you as He said - وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ إِذ ظَّلَمُوا أَنفُسَهُمْ جَاءُوكَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُوا اللَّهَ وَاسْتَغْفَرَ لَهُمُ الرَّسُولُ لَوَجَدُوا اللَّهَ تَوَّابًا رَّحِيمًا - (And if, they wronged themselves and come humbly to you (O' Prophet ﷺ) and asked forgiveness of Allah, and the Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) also intercedes for them, they would find Allah accepting of repentance and most Merciful). (An-Nisa - 64).
The above is narrated by Al-Qadi Iyad in Al-Shifa (2:92-93). Subki in Shifa Al-Siqam. Qastallani in Al-Mawahib Al-Laduniyya. Ibn Jama’a in Hidayat Al-Salik. Haytami in Al-Jawahar al-munazzam and Tuhfat al-zuwwar and others.
And those who cannot afford to visit the pious Maqam of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) in Madina can also perform Astaghfar in front of a well-known Shaikh of Ihsan, dead or alive, it does not matter, and it is hoped that he will be forgiven by Allah. Read more
Perform Tawba from the privacy of your home
An opportunity is provided for all the people of the world to seek forgiveness from Allah in privacy, from the comfort of their homes. Recite the following 11 times with 3 times Durood before and after.
Astaghfirullahal Azeem (استغفرُ اللهَ الْعَظِيم)
Then recite the following one time.
اسْتَغْفِرُ اللّهَ رَبِّىْ مِنْ كُلِّ ذَنْبٍ اَذْنَبْتُه عَمَدًا اَوْ خَطَاً سِرًّا اَوْ عَلَانِيَةً وَاَتُوْبُ اِلَيْهِ مِنْ الذَّنْبِ الَّذِىْ اَعْلَمُ وَ مِنْ الذَّنْبِ الَّذِىْ لا اَعْلَمُ اِنَّكَ اَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الغُيُبِ وَ سَتَّارُ الْعُيُوْبِ و َغَفَّارُ الذُّنُوْبِ وَ لا حَوْلَ وَلا قُوَّةَ اِلَّا بِاللّهِ الْعَلِىِّ العَظِيْم
Astaghferullaha rabbi min kulli zambin aznabtuhoo amadan aw khata-an sirran aw alaniyatan wa atoobu ilayhe min-azzambi-llazzee aalamu wa min-azzambi-llazzee laa aalamu innaka allaam-ulghuyoobi wa sattaar-uluyoobi wa ghaffaar-uzzunoobi wa laa hawla wa laa quwwata illaa billah-ilAliy-ilAzeem.
I seek forgiveness from my Lord, who is my Creator and Sustainer, from every sin I committed, knowingly or unknowingly, secretly or openly. I also seek His forgiveness for all sins which I am aware of or am not aware of. Certainly (O' Allah - عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) You are the Knowledgeable of the hidden and the Concealer of mistakes and the Forgiver of sins. And there is no power and no strength except with Allah, the Most High, the Most Great.
The moment you recite the above, consider that Shaikh Mir Asedullah Quadri has also recited Astaghfar on your behalf and In Sha Allah, let us expect that the Astaghfar has been accepted as a Sadaqa of Rasulallah (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم).
Your fresh start
The real Astaghfar or Tawba is that in which the person intends not to repeat the wrongdoings he has been doing previously. By reciting Astaghfar you not only plead to Allah to forgive all your previous sins, but you also save yourself from committing sins in the future.
From now on, recite Astaghfar 100 times daily, along with 100 times Durood and keep yourself clean from the burden of your sins. You are also expected to establish Sahih Iman in your life and undertake other Islamic obligations as a routine.