al-Istighfār is interpreted in three senses:
1. al-Istighfār is used in the sense of seeking forgiveness for sins and shirk (associating partners with God); as in the following verses:
Seek istighfār from your Lord (that is, seek forgiveness from your Lord for sins and shirk) and then turn to Him in repentance! (Hūd 11:90)
O my people! Seek istighfār from your Lord {that is, seek forgiveness for (sins and) shirk}; indeed, He is ever Forgiving. (Nūḥ 71:10)
2. al-Istighfār has been used in the sense of ṣalāt (ritual prayer or supplication); as in the following verses:
Those who perform istighfār at dawn (that is, those who perform ritual prayer or make duʿā [supplication])... (Āl ʿImrān 3:17)
They used to perform istighfār at dawn (that is, they would perform ritual prayer or make duʿā). (al-Dhāriyāt 51:18)
3. al-Istighfār is used in the sense of seeking forgiveness for sins; as in the words of the polytheist Aziz to his wife:
Seek istighfār for your sin (that is, ask forgiveness from your spouse so that you are not punished for your sin); for you are surely among the wrongdoers. (Yūsuf 12:29)