One of the 99 Names of Allah is “Al-Ghafar” meaning “The Great Forgiver” - the One Who forgives the sins of His slaves time and time again. Allah SWT loves those who realize their mistakes and repent with a true heart and seek His forgiveness and intend with a true heart to never repeat it.  Repentance is an act of worship and is among the most praiseworthy one in virtue. There are no particular words for asking forgiveness, however, the key to repentance is that it comes from a sincere heart and associate no one with Allah SWT and know for fact that He will forgive those who seek forgiveness. When a believer commits a sin and seeks forgiveness with sincere heart Allah SWT becomes happy and says, "My servant committed a sin and then he came to realize that he has a Lord who holds the sinner responsible and accountable, and also that He has a Lord who forgives the sins if asked for forgiveness: So let him be forgiven".

It is Never Too Late:  No matter how corrupt one might have become, doors of forgiveness is still open for that person until the person is about to die. There are numerous Ayats in the Quran that highlights this fact:-   Allah SWT says, "O my Servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah. Verily, Allah forgives all sins: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful" [39:53].  -  "And seek the forgiveness of Allah. Certainly, Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful'' [4:106].   -  “Indeed I am forgiving to the one who repents, truly believes, does righteous and correct deeds, and then remains constant upon right guidance” [20:82].     Prophet PBUH declares, "When a person has repented from a sin, it is as if he had never committed that sin" [Tirmidhi].  -  Prophet PBUH said, "Allah accepts a servant's repentance till he gives up his spirit in death" [Tirmidhi].  -  Prophet PBUH said, “Shaitan said, "By Thy Might, my Lord, I shall continue to lead Thy servants astray as long as their spirits are in their bodies!"  The Lord, Who is Great and Glorious, replied, "By My Might, Glory and Exalted Station, I shall continue to pardon them as long as they ask My forgiveness" [Tirmidhi].

Confession of Mistakes: To confess ones sins and seek forgiveness from Allah for the errors committed increases a person’s consciousness of Allah and strengthening their relationship with Him. The act of confession and seeking forgiveness is the way a believer acknowledges that Allah alone is the most High and Merciful who has the knowledge about all our deeds and thoughts and He alone can forgive and save one from the consequences of our actions.   Prophet PBUH said, "Allah says: O son of Adam! I shall go on forgiving you so long as you pray to Me and aspire for My forgiveness whatever may be your sins. O son of Adam! I do not care even if your sins should pile up to the sky and should you beg pardon of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam! If you come to Me with an earth full of sins and meet Me, not associating anything with Me in worship, I will certainly grant you as much pardon as will fill the earth''.

Conversation with Allah SWT:  When one turns to Allah for forgiveness, it is the most intimate conversation a person can have with Him. During this conversation we are at our humblest and can use the simplest words in whatever language we can speak to express ourselves.   Prophet PBUH said, "Allah says: 'I am just as My slave thinks I am, (i.e. I am able to do for him what he thinks I can do for him) and I am with him if He remembers Me. If he remembers Me in himself, I too, remember him in Myself; and if he remembers Me in a group of people, I remember him in a group that is better than they; and if he comes one span nearer to Me, I go one cubit nearer to him; and if he comes one cubit nearer to Me, I go a distance of two outstretched arms nearer to him; and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running'" [Bukhari].

Key to Acceptance of Dua:  Allah SWT has promised that He will forgive any sin committed, even if one has committed the gravest sin of all that is ‘Shirk’. The key to acceptance of any supplication is that it is sincere and comes from the heart and not merely some words coming out of one’s mouth. The condition to seek sincere repentance is for one to be aware that he has sinned, and feels sorry and ashamed for the committed act and makes a solemn promise with Allah that he will not repeat that action again. Allah SWT says, “say: ‘O MY servants who have wronged their own souls….Do not despair of Allah’s Mercy!  Surely,  Allah forgives all sins.  He indeed is the All Forgiving, All Merciful.   Return to your Lord and submit to Him before the scourge overtakes you; for then you may get no help from anywhere.”  [39:53].

Say “Astaghfirullah” (I seek forgiveness of Allah):  Repentance and seeking forgiveness are among the most meritorious acts of virtue for the believers. “Astaghfirullah”means expressing remorse in words and begging Allah for forgiveness and His mercy. The doors of repentance are always open; however, we often forget the importance of the simple yet powerful supplication, saying “Astaghfirullah”.  Prophet PBUH recited this at least 100 times a day. Reciting this simple supplication opens doors of Allah’s mercy and is an effective method of calming ones soul while it wipes away our sins and relief us from worldly worries. It helps one refrain from committing sin and is a reminder that Allah is most forgiving.  Prophet PBUH said, "I swear by Allah that I seek Allah's pardon and turn to Him in repentance more than seventy times a day'' [Bukharie].

No limit for asking Forgiveness:  There is no limit to the number of times one can turn to Allah for His mercy.  Prophet PBUH said, "If somebody commits a sin and then says, 'O my Lord! I have sinned, please forgive me!' and his Lord says, 'My slave has known that he has a Lord who forgives sins and punishes for it, I therefore have forgiven my slave (his sins).' Then he remains without committing any sin for a while and then again commits another sin and says, 'O my Lord, I have committed another sin, please forgive me,' and Allah says, 'My slave has known that he has a Lord who forgives sins and punishes for it, I therefore have forgiven my slave (his sin). Then he remains without committing any other sin for a while and then commits another sin (for the third time) and says, 'O my Lord, I have committed another sin, please forgive me,' and Allah says, 'My slave has known that he has a Lord Who forgives sins and punishes for it I therefore have forgiven My slave (his sin)" [Bukhari].  In dead Allah is most forgiving and will forgive believers if we turn to Him.  However, this should not encourage one to commit sins repeatedly.