Finish your Rituals with the Words of Tawheed and Istighfaar

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As for the statement of Tawheed [i.e. Laa ila Ila Allaah], then this statement expiates sins and it removes all traces of the sins that he had committed and thus, nothing remains of it. So the statement of Tawheed is like free a slave, and freeing a slave is like one has freed himself from the fire. Whoever says it and believes in it, sincerely with his heart, then Allaah makes the fire prohibited upon this person.

As for the words of Istighfaar or forgiveness, then increasing in it is a cause for you to attain the Forgiveness and Mercy of Allaah. 

Hasan al-Basree [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said, “Increase in asking for Allaah’s forgiveness because you don’t know when the Mercy of Allaah will fall upon you.”

Luqmaan the wise, told his son, “Oh son! Repeat Istigfaar upon your tongue, because there are hours in which Allaah doesn’t deny the person who asks.”
Allaah, the Most High, also combines the statement of Tawheed and the advice on being steadfast in asking for Istighfaar.

Allaah, the Most High, says:

“So know (O Muhammad) that La ilaha ill-Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah), and ask forgiveness for your sin” [Muhammad 47:19]

It is also narrated from the Salaf that they said, “Iblees said, ‘Men are destroyed because of their sins and I have been destroyed because of Laa Ilaha Ila Allaah and Istighfaar.’”

Istighfaar is from the deeds that one must do upon completion of righteous deeds, such as upon the completion of Salaah, Hajj or Qiyaam al-Layl. It is also prescribed to say Istighfaar upon the completion of sittings and gathering, so if the gathering was a gathering of remembering Allaah and a beneficial gathering then we are closing the righteous deed by seeking Istighfaar and if the gathering had shortcomings or sins, then we are seeking to be pardoned and forgiven.

Therefore, it is binding that we finish by seeking forgiveness in Allaah.

‘Umar bin ‘Abdul-‘Azeez also once wrote:

Say as your father Aadam [Peace be Upon him] has said:

“Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers.” [A’raaf 7:23]

Say as Nooh [Peace be Upon him] said:

“O my Lord! I seek refuge with You from asking You that of which I have no knowledge. And unless You forgive me and have Mercy on me, I would indeed be one of the losers.” [Hood 11:47]

Say as Moosa [Peace be Upon him] said:

“My Lord! Verily, I have wronged myself, so forgive me” [Qasas 28:16]

Say as Dhun Noon [Peace be Upon him] said:

“La ilaha illa Anta [none has the right to be worshipped but You (O Allah)], Glorified (and Exalted) are You [above all that (evil) they associate with You]. Truly, I have been of the wrong-doer” [Mu’minoon 21:87]

It is also narrated that Aboo Hurayrah [May Allaah be Pleased with him] said, “Backbiting tears your fasts but Istighfaar repairs it. So whoever is able to repair his fasting then let him do so.”
Lataa'if al-Ma'aarif (Pg. 160-169) by Haafidh Ibn Rajab al-Hanbalee (d.795) [May Allaah have Mercy on him]