How is the Prayer of Seeking Forgiveness and Repentance performed, how many rak'ahs does it have, and is Surah Al Imran (3:135) recited in both rak'ahs or in one rak'ah?

When a Muslim commits a sin, they should hasten to repentance and seek forgiveness. Among the means of expiating sins is the prayer of repentance, also known as Salat al-Istighfar. It consists of two rak'ahs performed after purification. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "There is no servant who commits a sin, then purifies himself well, then stands and prays two rak'ahs, and then seeks Allah's forgiveness, but that he will be forgiven." Then he recited the verse: {And those who, when they commit an indecency or wrong themselves [with sin], remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their sins – and who can forgive sins except Allah? – and [who] do not knowingly persist in what they have done.} One may recite whatever is easy from the Qur'an in these two rak'ahs.