Don't leave istighfar- Hasan al Basri

Don't leave istighfar

A man once came to al-Hasan al-Basri and complained to him: “The sky does not shower us with rain.” He replied: “Seek Allah’s forgiveness (i.e. say أستغفر ألله).”

Then another person came to him and said, “I complain of poverty.” He replied: “Seek Allah’s forgiveness."

Then another person came to him and complained, “My wife is barren; she cannot bear children.” He replied: “Seek Allah’s forgiveness."

The people who were present, said to al-Hasan: “Everytime a person came to you complaining, you instructed them to seek Allah’s forgiveness?”

Al-Hasan al-Basri said, “Have you not read the statement of Allah? 'I said "Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Truly He is Oft-Forgiving. He will send rain to you in abundance; increase you in wealth and children; grant you gardens and bestow on you rivers."'" [Nuh (71):10-12]

There are 2 things in the earth that give a person safety and security from the punishment of Allah. The first has been removed, whilst the second still remains.

1: As for the first, it was the Messenger of Allah (صلي ألله عليه و سلم).

“Allah would not punish them while you were among them.” [al-Anfal (8):33]

2: As for the second, it is istighfar. “Allah would not punish them as long as they sought forgiveness.” [al-Anfal (8):33]

أستغفر ألله... أستغفر ألله... أستغفر ألله...
 
Do not ever leave istighfar inshaAllah!