In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
Forgiveness
Forgiveness is very important in Islam. By constantly turning to Allah for forgiveness of our sins, we learn humility. Since we are weak human beings, we are guilty of sinning. Knowing this, Our Creator time and time again tells His creation to repent so that they may be forgiven:
"And seek the forgiveness of Allah. Certainly, Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.'' (4:106)
"And whoever does evil or wrongs himself but afterwards seeks Allah's forgiveness, he will find Allah Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.'' (4:110)
Asking forgiveness for others is also important. In Islam there is a strong emphasis on being united and caring for one another. We should want to pray for ourselves and others in the hope that Allah listens to the prayers of all people. Since we would like to be forgiven, so we should pray that Allah forgives the sins of others.
Another vital aspect to forgiveness is forgiving those who have hurt or wronged ourselves. As we would like Allah to show forgiveness to us, so we should try to do the same to others:
“The recompense for an evil is an evil like thereof; but whoever forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is with Allah. Verily, He likes not the Zalimun (wrongdoers).” (42:40)
“And verily, whosoever shows patience and forgives, that would truly be from the things recommended by Allah.” (42:43)
So here we are told that although it is acceptable to do what others have done to us, it is better in the sight of Allah to show forgiveness. The reward for this is great, since it is a difficult thing to do. However, by doing so, this demonstrates the strength of a person’s character and belief that in the end, Allah will do what is right. It therefore also highlights patience, another highly desirable characteristic in a Muslim.
1876. Thauban (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Whenever the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) finished his Salat (prayer), he would beg forgiveness three times [by saying, `Astaghfirullah' (3 times)] and then he would say: "
[Muslim].
This hadith (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad pbuh), shows that if the noble Prophet could ask for forgiveness, then we certainly as ordinary humans have more need to ask forgiveness. This Dua (prayer) is a Sunnah (practice if the Prophet Mohammed (saw)), it is therefore recommended that Muslims should also repeat this prayer after each Salat (each of the 5 daily prayers).
1878. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying, "Allah, the Exalted, has said: `O son of Adam! I shall go on forgiving you so long as you pray to Me and aspire for My forgiveness whatever may be your sins. O son of Adam! I do not care even if your sins should pile up to the sky and should you beg pardon of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam! If you come to Me with an earthful of sins and meet Me, not associating anything with Me in worship, I will certainly grant you as much pardon as will fill the earth.'''
[At-Tirmidhi].
Asking for forgiveness yet persisting in the sin means the act of turning to Allah for forgiveness becomes meaningless. Genuine remorse and the intention to not repeat the sin again is the way in which one will be truly forgiven. The important thing to note from this Hadith is the idea that one must never think that he/she is not worthy of forgiveness. No matter what the sin is, as long as we seek Allah’s forgiveness, He will forgive us. All Allah asks is that we turn to Him before it is too late (ie before death comes). Once our last breath leaves our body, the doors to forgiveness close.
Written by Shamoona Firdos
http://hanafi.co.uk/
"The Muslim is a unique Ummah among the whole of mankind:
Their Land is ONE, their War is ONE, their Peace is ONE,
Their Honour is ONE and their Trust is ONE."
[Ahmad]
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