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As for the questioner’s words, “Why does it bring about relief from affliction?” this is because none but Allah can remove affliction. As the Most High says:

“If Allah touches you with harm, none can remove it but He; and if He intends good for you, none can repel His bounty.”

Sins cause affliction, and seeking forgiveness removes its causes. As the Most High says:

“Allah would not punish them while you are among them, nor would Allah punish them while they seek forgiveness.”

He, glorified be He, thus declares that He does not punish anyone who seeks forgiveness. A hadith states:

“Whoever frequently seeks forgiveness, Allah will grant him relief from every worry, a way out of every difficulty, and provision from where he does not expect.”

The Most High also says:

“Whatever calamity befalls you is because of what your own hands have earned, and He pardons much.”

Thus, his words:

“Truly, I have been among the wrongdoers”

are an admission of sin and constitute a plea for forgiveness, for this admission implicitly includes a request for forgiveness.

His words:

“There is no god but You”

affirm Allah’s oneness in worship. For nothing brings about good except Allah’s will: whatever He wills comes to pass, and whatever He does not will does not come to pass; and what obstructs it