Why is it not sufficient to recite certain adhkar (remembrances of Allah) that are equivalent to many good deeds, such as saying "Astaghfirullah alladhi la ilaha illa Huwal-Hayyul-Qayyum wa atubu ilayh" (I seek forgiveness from Allah, other than whom there is no deity, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer, and I repent to Him) three times, instead of performing other actions throughout the day?

The answer to the question "Why is Dhikr not sufficient to replace obligatory duties and forbidden acts?" is that the good deeds promised to those who seek forgiveness do not include disobedient individuals who are determined to commit sins. The Hadith: "Whoever says: 'I seek forgiveness from Allah, other than Whom none has the right to be worshipped, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer, and I repent to Him,' he will be forgiven, even if he had fled from the battlefield," applies specifically to one who truly seeks forgiveness. As for someone who insists on abandoning obligatory duties and committing forbidden acts, he is toying with his seeking of forgiveness. One who seeks forgiveness from a sin while persisting in it is like one who mocks his Lord.