Priority of Istighfar Over Repentance — Essence of Islam Vol. 2

14 Sep, 2026 Essence of Islam 0

Essence of Islam Book Cover by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS)

Introduction

In this discourse from Essence of Islam (Volume 2), Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS), the Promised Messiah and Mahdi, expounds upon Priority of Istighfar Over Repentance, presenting profound spiritual insights and scriptural verities.

Book Series: Essence of Islam (Volume 2)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (AS)
Section: Part 6: Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness
Navigation: Book Table of Contents | « Previous: The Meaning of Istighfar | Next: Gates of God’s Grace Are Never Closed »

Istighfar and Taubah (repentance) are two separate matters. From one point of view, Istighfar has priority over repentance, inasmuch as Istighfar is the help and strength which are obtained from God and repentance means standing on one’s own feet. It is the way of God that when a person seeks help from Him, He bestows strength and with that strength the supplicant stands on his own feet and thus possesses the faculty to do good, which is called ‘turning to God’. This is the natural sequence of it. It is appointed for seekers that they should seek help from God in every condition. Till a seeker obtains strength from God, he can do nothing.
The strength for repentance is acquired after Istighfar. If there is no Istighfar, the faculty of repentance dies. If you will thus follow up Istighfar with repentance, the result will be as set out in the verse: 84

This is the way of God, that those who follow up Istighfar with repentance will achieve their cherished grades. Every sense has its limits within which it achieves its high grades; not everyone can be a Prophet or a Messenger or a Truthful (Siddiq) or a Testifier (Shahid).
[Malfuzat, vol. II, pp. 68-69]
[Essence of Islam, Vol. 2, p. 245]

Istighfar is a Spiritual Exercise 85 84 ‘He will provide for you a goodly provision until an appointed term.’—Hud, 11:4 [Publisher]
85 ‘And that you seek forgiveness of your Lord, and then turn to Him.’—Hud, 11:4 [Publisher]
[Malfuzat, vol. II, p. 67]
[Essence of Islam, Vol. 2, p. 245]

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Introduction