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Seeking Forgiveness for a Mistake While Reciting the Quran

Question

Is reciting istighfar obligatory if one makes a mistake in reading the qur'an?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

If a person makes a mistake while reciting the Quran and changes a verse of mercy to a verse of torment, or the like, then he is not obliged to seek forgiveness. Asking forgiveness is obligatory only when one commits a sin, as for an intentional mistake, then the person is not held accountable for it. The Messenger of Allah  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: "Allah will forgive my Ummah for mistakes, forgetfulness and what they are forced to do."

Although seeking forgiveness is not obligatory if the reciter did not deliberately do the mistake, but this does not mean that it is not permissible to seek forgiveness for this. Rather, it is permissible and the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) used to seek forgiveness much, despite the fact that Allah has forgiven what preceded of his sins and what will follow.

Allah knows best.

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