English Translation of Al-Quran
[40].Surah Al Mumin (The Believer) also known as Surah Ghafir [The Forgiver]
Ayat 55. So be patient (O Muhammad ﷺ [SAWW](PBUH), Verily, the Promise of Allah is true, and ask forgiveness for your fault, and glorify the praises of your Lord in the Ashi (i.e. the time period after the midnoon till sunset) and in the Ibkar (i.e. the time period from early morning or sunrise till before midnoon) [it is said that, that means the five compulsory congregational Salat (prayers) or the ‘Asr and Fajr prayers].
Tafseer of Surah Al Mumin (The Believer) 55. Patiently, then, persevere: for the Promise of Allah is true: and ask forgiveness for thy fault, and celebrate the Praises of thy Lord in the evening and in the morning. The Israelites corrupted or lost their Book: they disobeyed Allah’s Law; and failed to proclaim and exemplify Allah’s Message. That is why the new Revelation came to the Prophet. If, in the beginning, it was rejected and persecuted, there was no cause for discouragement; on the contrary, there was all the greater need for patience and perseverance. Every mortal according to his nature and degree of spiritual enlightenment falls short of the perfect standard of Allah (16:61), and should therefore ask Allah for forgiveness. What is merit in an ordinary man may be a human shortcoming in one nearest to Allah: see 38:24-25. Prophets have a further responsibility for their People or their Ummah, and they ask in a representative capacity. Cf. 3:41 . Evening and morning are the best times for contemplation and spiritual effort. But the phrase “evening and morning” may mean “at all times”.
English Translation of Hadith
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ [SAWW](PBUH) said, reported I heard : The Messenger of Allah ﷺ [SAWW](PBUH) saying: “By Allah, I seek Allah’s forgiveness and repent to Him more than seventy times a day.”
[Al-Bukhari Book 08, Chapter 75, Hadith # 319]
Lesson: as mentioned above in Surah Al-Mumin Ayat. 55. “And ask forgiveness for your fault, and glorify the praises of your Lord” 1. It is an inducement for seeking pardon and forgiveness. The Prophet ﷺ [SAWW](PBUH), whose past and future sins were forgiven, asked Allah’s forgiveness – then how about us, who commit sins on regular basis, not to seek pardon and forgiveness from Allah?
2. Sincere and ceaseless prayer for pardon is essential so that sins committed by us unintentionally are also forgiven. The above Hadith lays great emphasis on seeking pardon..