Complete Guide to Salat al-Tawbah: How to Perform Repentance Prayer

The Sunnah Repentance Prayer is performed after a person commits a sin, wrongdoing, or violation of religious laws, or feels that they have sinned against Allah ﷻ. They then feel remorse for the action and desire to return to the path of Allah (repentance).

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: "Whoever has committed a sinful act should hasten to perform ablution (wudu'), then establish prayer and seek forgiveness from Allah. Allah will surely accept their plea.

“Those who have committed a sinful act or wronged themselves, then immediately remember Allah by seeking forgiveness for the sin committed. Who else forgives all sins except Allah? Then they feel remorseful, realize their mistake, and will not repeat the act again; they will be granted rewards and the entry to Paradise beneath which rivers flow, and there they will remain forever.” (Narrated by Abu Daud, Nasa’i, Ibnu Majah, and Baihaqi.)

The Repentance Prayer can be performed in two, four, or six raka'at at any desired time, but it is more virtuous in the middle of the night when the environment is quieter and more peaceful.

Virtues of Repentance:

• Forgiven by Allah SWT.
• Ease in all affairs.
• Brightens daily life.
• Relieves feelings of stress or anxiety.
• Prevents sin and avoids disturbances.

How to Perform the Sunnah Repentance Prayer

In a narration by Saidina Abu Bakar Al-Siddiq RA, he said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say:

«مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ يُذْنِبُ ذَنْبًا فَيُحْسِنُ الطُّهُورَ ثُمَّ يَقُومُ فَيُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ يَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ إِلاَّ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ»

"There is no servant who commits a sin, then purifies himself properly (performs wudu), gets up and prays two rak'ahs, and then asks Allah for forgiveness, except that Allah will forgive his sin." — [Sunan Abu Dawud (1521)]

Based on this hadith, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) taught us how to purify ourselves after committing a sin: by performing ablution (wudu) properly, offering two rak'ahs of prayer, and frequently seeking forgiveness (istighfar) from Allah ﷻ.

Here is a simple, step-by-step guide on performing the Repentance Prayer:

1. Ablution (Wudhu): Perform a complete and proper ablution, just as you would for any standard prayer.
2. Number of Rak'ahs: Perform two rak'ahs of Sunnah Taubat prayer.
3. Timing: It can be performed at any time, even during times when voluntary prayers are generally discouraged (Tahrim hours), because this prayer is reason-based and should be hastened to seek immediate repentance. However, the most recommended time is after midnight during Qiamullail (the last third of the night), as the quiet surroundings make it easier to achieve true humility and focus (khusyu').

First Rak'ah

1. Intention (Niyyah) & Takbiratul Ihram:

2. Begin with Takbiratul Ihram (saying Allahu Akbar). While lifting your hands, make the intention in your heart:

 "I intend to perform two rak'ahs of the Sunnah Repentance Prayer for the sake of Allah Ta'ala."

أُصَلِّي سُنَّةَ التَّوْبَةِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ لِلَّهِ تَعَالَى

3. Recite Doa Iftitah (Sunnah):

Reciting the opening supplication (Doa Iftitah) is Sunnah Hai'ah. The prayer remains valid even if omitted, but reciting it earns extra rewards.

4. Recite Surah Al-Fatihah:

Recite Surah Al-Fatihah (a mandatory pillar of prayer).

5. Recite Surah Al-Kafirun:

Recite Surah Al-Kafirun, or any other surah from memory.

Second Rak'ah

1. Recite Surah Al-Fatihah & Additional Surah:

After rising from the second prostration of the first rak'ah, recite Surah Al-Fatihah followed by Surah Al-Ikhlas (or any other surah).

2. Rukuk, I'tidal, and Prostration:

Proceed with the standard steps: Ruku' (bowing), I'tidal (standing straight), and Sujud (prostration).

3. Final Prostration Supplication:

During the final prostration (before rising for the final Tashahhud), it is highly recommended to seek forgiveness or recite the supplication of Prophet Yunus AS 40 times:

لَّا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَـٰنَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّـٰلِمِينَ

"There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers." — [Surah Al-Anbiya: 87]

4. Final Tashahhud & Salam:

Rise from prostration, complete the final Tashahhud (Tahiyat Akhir), and end the prayer with Salam.

5. Post-Prayer Supplication:

After giving Salam, spend time seeking forgiveness with a sincere heart, feeling confident in Allah's attribute as the Most Forgiving (Al-Ghaffar).

Supplications for Repentance

In Sahih Al-Bukhari (6839), Abu Bakar RA asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ): "O Messenger of Allah, teach me a supplication that I can recite in my prayer." The Prophet (ﷺ) instructed him to say:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي ظُلْمًا كَثِيرًا وَلاَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ فَاغْفِرْ لِي مَغْفِرَةً مِنْ عِنْدِكَ وَارْحَمْنِي إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ

"O Allah, I have wronged my soul greatly, and no one forgives sins except You. So grant me forgiveness from You, and have mercy upon me. Indeed, You are the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful."

(Note: This supplication can also be recited by women who are unable to perform ritual prayers due to menstruation but still wish to seek Allah's forgiveness.)

Sayyidul Istighfar (The Master of Forgiveness)

After the prayer and supplication, perform a prostration and recite Sayyidul Istighfar (the supreme prayer for seeking forgiveness):

اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ، خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ، وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ، أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ، وَأَبُوءُ لَذَنْبِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي، فَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ

"O Allah, You are my Lord. There is no deity except You. You created me and I am Your servant, and I abide by Your covenant and promise as best I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge Your favor upon me, and I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me, for indeed none forgives sins except You."

May our repentance offered with a sincere heart be accepted by Allah SWT. Amin.