The Middle of Ramadan is Full of Opportunities for Forgiveness
As we reach the middle of Ramadan, in many communities, things are a little quieter. The early crowds have subsided and the crowds of the last 10 nights haven’t started yet.
But this isn’t the time to get lax: We’ve entered the days of forgiveness.
The Days of Forgiveness
The blessed month of Ramadan is traditionally divided into three phases, each lasting 10 days. After the days focused on Allah’s mercy, come the 10 days known as the days of forgiveness.
During these days, Muslims may devote extra attention to sincere repentance and seeking forgiveness from Allah for all their mistakes and previous sins.
What Is Forgiveness in Islam?
The Quran uses three words for forgiveness, and they each have different connotations.
- ghafara (غفر) — to cover sins
- ‘afawa (عفو) — to pardon (as if erasing the wrong action)
- safaha (صفح) — to overlook (literally turning a page)
Muslims seek Allah’s forgiveness, and one path to receiving it is to forgive others.
Forgiving Others
Forgiving others doesn’t mean excusing the wrong action. It means letting go of the anger, forgoing retaliation, and leaving it in Allah’s hands to deal with.
In Islam, the victim of a crime has the right to pursue accountability, especially with the purpose of preventing others from being harmed. But Islam encourages forgiveness.
The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “No one suffers an injury to his body, and forgives it as charity, but that his sins will be expiated by the measure of his charity.” (Ahmad)
More Ways to Seek Allah’s Forgiveness
Islam provides guidance on many ways to seek Allah’s forgiveness.
Make Amends
An important component of seeking forgiveness is to atone for the matter if possible. For example, if you have taken something, return it. If you have hurt someone’s feelings, apologize. Try to make right any wrong you have done.
Performing Good Deeds
Secondly, Allah tells us that good deeds wipe away bad deeds and sins.
Allah says in the Quran,
” … Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds. That is a reminder for those who remember.” (11:114)
This holy month of Ramadan offers even greater opportunities than usual for performing good deeds, as each good act receives extra reward in Ramadan, and a fasting person can earn more blessings for their efforts.
So one way to seek forgiveness is to begin by performing additional good deeds, starting with those closest to us — our family members.
Extra Prayers
Performing additional worship, especially in the last part of the night and especially on Laylat al Qadr, is a great way to seek Allah’s forgiveness.
Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah said,
“Our Lord, the Blessed and the Exalted, descends every night to the lowest heaven when one-third of the latter part of the night is left, and says: Who supplicates Me so that I may answer him? Who asks Me so that I may give to him? Who asks Me forgiveness so that I may forgive him?” (Sahih Muslim and Bukhari)
Recommended Duas
Another way to seek forgiveness is through duas, or supplications.
Shaddad ibn Aws said that the prophet Muhammad said the following dua is the best way to ask for forgiveness:
“O Allah! You are my Lord! None has the right to be worshipped but You. You created me and I am Your slave, and I am faithful to my covenant and my promise as much as I can. I seek refuge with You from all the evil I have done. I acknowledge before You all the blessings You have bestowed upon me, and I confess to You all my sins. So I entreat You to forgive my sins, for nobody can forgive sins except You.” (Bukhari)
Here’s another beautiful and comprehensive – though short – dua for forgiveness:
“Allahummaghfir lee thanbee kullahu, diqqahu wa jillahu, wa ‘awwalahu wa ‘aakhirahu wa ‘alaaniyata hu wa sirrahu.”
“O Allah, forgive me all my sins, great and small, the first and the last, those that are apparent and those that are hidden.” (Muslim)
And one more:
“O Allah, you are forgiving, and you love forgiveness, so forgive me.” (Recorded by Ahmad, Ibn Majah and at-Tirmidhi)
What’s Next?
After taking action to perform good deeds and praying to be forgiven, it’s important to try not to repeat the same mistakes. However, if we do backslide again, we need to continue turning back to Allah.
‘Was My Prayer for Forgiveness Accepted?’
As humans, we cannot know if our prayers for Allah’s mercy and forgiveness are answered. However, we can find some peace and hope in the fact that we are assured many times that Allah the Almighty is most generous in His forgiveness.
Allah says in the Quran:
“If any one does evil or wrongs his own soul but afterwards seeks God’s forgiveness, he will find God Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful”. (4:110)
He also said in a Hadith Qudsi that His mercy is greater than His wrath (Sahih al-Bukhari ).
The Messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad, also brought good news about Allah’s mercy.
He said,
“No Muslim commits a sin and then performs ablution, prays two rak’ahs and begs Allah for forgiveness for that sin, but He forgives him.”
May all of your prayers be accepted!
Ramadan wishes from Guidance Residential
Every Ramadan we’re reminded of the blessings of home. Since 2002, Guidance Residential has helped over 40,000 families celebrate Ramadan in their new home. We are so thankful to be part of their celebration, and we wish you a meaningful and blessed Ramadan. Ramadan Kareem!
Guidance Residential remains the #1 U.S. Islamic home financing provider, with more than 40,000 families assisted over more than 20 years. Learn more about our co-ownership model of Islamic home financing, and get started on your home finance journey today.
The team at Guidance Residential is here for you, from the first step of pre-qualification or pre-approval, on through to finding the right real estate professional for you and your family — or refinancing a home you already own. We invite you to explore the home buying process with Guidance Residential today. You can also instantly calculate an estimate specific to your personal situation with our finance calculators online.
Your Guidance Residential Account Executive is here to help with any questions. Looking to refinance or purchase? Have a friend or family member who is looking for a home? Call 1.866.Guidance, or start an application today.
Originally published in May 2019, updated March 2025.
