Question No. 3470 10 September 2026 Official answer by Master Ali Saei (Abdullah Meshkat) verified Content level: Intermediate

In his prayer for forgiveness, the Imam refers to sins committed through one’s “deeds.” What exactly does this mean? Please explain, with clear examples, including everyday behaviour.

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Dear questioner, Master Ali Saei

Tracking code: #Q-3470

Peace be upon you. In passage 27 of the prayer for forgiveness of our master, the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (AS), he says, “the sin I committed through my deeds.” Which of our behaviours count as deeds in this sense? Please give some examples. Thank you.
َّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحيمِ

Subject category: Ethics and Spirituality Hadith and Traditions

The essence and first answer at a glance (60-word summary)

In passage 27 of the Commander of the Faithful’s (AS) prayer for forgiveness, he refers to various kinds of sin: sins of the tongue, such as misplaced praise; sins of the heart, involving what passes within it; sins of thought and feeling; and sins committed through what one has written by hand. The phrase «أتیته بفعالی» refers to sins committed through one’s actions, which are left unnamed because of their shameful nature. It includes conduct carried out through one’s deeds.

Answer by Master Ali Saei (Abdullah Meshkat)

Teacher and researcher in the intellectual tradition of wisdom and the Ahl al-Bayt | Soroush Bamdadān Cultural Center

اللَّهُمَّ وَ أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ لِكُلِّ ذَنْبٍ مَدَحْتُهُ بِلِسَانِي أَوْ أَضْمَرَهُ جِنَانِي أَوْ هَشَّتْ إِلَيْهِ نَفْسِي أَوْ أَتَيْتُهُ بِفِعَالِي أَوْ كَتَبْتُهُ بِيَدِي فَصَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ اغْفِرْهُ لِي يَا خَيْرَ الْغَافِرِينَ
O God, I seek Your forgiveness for every sin that I described with my tongue, entertained in my heart, felt my soul drawn to, committed through my actions, or wrote down with my hand. So bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, and forgive me for such sins, O Best of Forgivers!

The Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) makes a beautiful reference to sins of the tongue—such as praising those who should not be praised—and also to sins of the heart, mind, thought, feeling, and writing. In the phrase «أَتَيْتُهُ بِفِعَالِي», he refers to a sin committed through an act by the sinner. Since all sins, even those of the inner faculties, are counted among a person’s actions, the phrase «أَتَيْتُهُ بِفِعَالِي» points to reprehensible deeds so vile and shameful that he does not name them explicitly, but refers to them obliquely.

Addendum to question #3469: The car was in good condition. To prevent this sin, someone said, “My car is broken.” Is this kind of lie permissible?

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In his prayer for forgiveness, the Imam refers to sins committed through one’s “deeds.” What exactly does this mean? Please explain, with clear examples, including everyday behaviour.

The essence and first answer at a glance (60-word summary)

Answer by Master Ali Saei (Abdullah Meshkat)

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