Question:
When we pray for forgiveness, should we list each sin and ask for it, or can we ask generally for all sins?
Answer:
We can do both. If there is a specific sin that weighs heavily on you, you can mention it. But there are many sins we might not even realize are sins. The best way is to use the comprehensive supplication taught by the Prophetﷺﷺ , called Sayyidul Istighfar (The Master of Seeking Forgiveness).
The Prophetﷺﷺ said, “The most superior way of asking for forgiveness is to say: “Allahumma anta Rabbi la ilaha illa anta, khalaqtani wa ana ‘abduka, wa ana ‘ala ‘ahdika wa wa’dika mastata’tu, a’udhu bika min sharri ma sana’tu, abu’u laka bini’matika ‘alayya, wa abu’u laka bidhanbi, faghfir li, fa innahu la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa anta.”
which means,
(O Allahﷻ , You are my Lord, none has the right to be worshipped but You, You created me and I am Your servant, and I abide by Your covenant and promise as best as I can, I take refuge in You from the evil of what I have done, I acknowledge Your favor upon me, and I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me, for verily none can forgive sin except You.)’
The Prophetﷺﷺ said that whoever says this during the day with firm faith and dies before evening will be among the people of Paradise, and whoever says it during the night with firm faith and dies before morning will be among the people of Paradise. This one supplication covers all sins. So, you can use this comprehensive Du’a instead of listing each one individually.