What is the difference between the forms of seeking forgiveness: "Astaghfirullah (I seek forgiveness from Allah)," "Astaghfirullah al-Azim, Huwal-Tawwabur-Rahim (I seek forgiveness from Allah, the Most Great, He is the Acceptor of Repentance, the Most Merciful)," "Astaghfirullahalladhi la ilaha illa Huwal-Hayyul-Qayyum wa atubu ilayh (I seek forgiveness from Allah, there is no god but He, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer, and I repent to Him)," "Astaghfirullah al-Azim min kulli dhanb (I seek forgiveness from Allah, the Most Great, from every sin)," and "Sayyid al-Istighfar (The Master of Seeking Forgiveness)"; and are all these forms correct and considered as seeking forgiveness?

Some formulas of seeking forgiveness (Istighfar) have been reported from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, while others have not. Among those reported are "Astaghfirullah" (I seek forgiveness from Allah) three times after prayer, and "Astaghfirullah al-Azim alladhi la ilaha illa Huwal-Hayyul-Qayyum wa atubu ilayh" (I seek forgiveness from Allah, the Magnificent, whom there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer, and I repent to Him) which forgives sins even if one has fled from the battlefield. As for the master of seeking forgiveness (Sayyid al-Istighfar), it is: "Allahumma anta Rabbi la ilaha illa anta khalaqtani wa ana abduka wa ana ala ahdika wa wa'dika mastata'tu, a'udhu bika min sharri ma sana'tu, abu'u laka bi ni'matika alayya wa abu'u bi dhanbi fa ghfir li fa innahu la yaghfiru adh-dhunuba illa ant" (O Allah, You are my Lord, there is no deity except You. You created me, and I am Your servant, and I am abiding by Your covenant and Your promise as much as I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have committed. I acknowledge Your blessings upon me, and I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me, for indeed, none forgives sins except You). Whoever says this with certainty, whether by night or day, and then dies, will be among the people of Paradise. The remaining formulas convey the meaning of seeking forgiveness, and it is better to stick to what has been reported. The reward is ultimately up to Allah.