Seeking forgiveness

And all of you beg Allâh to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful. [24:31]

Seek the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance,.[11:03]

"O you who believe! Turn to Allâh with sincere repentance! [66:08]

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying: "By Allah, I seek Allah's forgiveness and repent to Him more than seventy times a day.'' [Al-Bukhari] .

Commentary:
1. It is an inducement for seeking pardon and forgiveness. The Prophet (PBUH), whose past and future sins were forgiven, asked Allah's forigveness - 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.

Ref.: Riyadh us Saliheen

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Ibn Shubrumah mentions:
[ I am amazed at the people who take care of themselves by eating food out of fear of dying, yet do not protect themselves from sins out of fear of the Fire ] Siyar A'laam an-Nubalaa. - Volume 6, Page 348

"Oh Allah, I seek refuge in You lest I misguide others, or I am misguided by others, lest I cause others to err or I am caused to err, lest I abuse others or be abused, and lest I behave foolishly or meet with the foolishness of others". (Abu-Dawud, Ibn Majah, Nasa'i, At-Termithi see also Al-Albani, Sahih At-Tirmithi 3/152 and Sahih Ibn Majah 2/336)