Mawlana Fazalur-Rehman Ganjmuradabadi (Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘If nothing else is possible at tahajjud (pre-twilight) time one should at least do some repentance (isteghfar).
In Holy Quran Allah says
وبالأسحار هم يستغفرون
not ھم یصلون
The complier adds, relative to tahajjud salat, Shaykh stressed more on getting up at tahujjud and repenting. Recalling one’s sins, acknowledging these transgressions and crying.’
Irshad e Rehmani wa fazal e yazdani, page 25
Q: Brother, i have heard Hadhrat (Mufti Taqi Usmani sahib) DB that one should not imagine the gunah like a “fehrist”, then what must be the way to recall gunahs ? Perhaps what they call “ijamaali tor pe soch le”
Reply: Yes it is correct not to recall specific details of sinful activities.
I assume this remembrance is in general and not specific.
In the lectures series ‘how to develop love of Allah or taluq ma’Allah’ a point mentioned is to recall the blessings of Allah and review our conduct relative to it. May be this is implied here.