Sinning And AstagfiruAllahu -The Importance of Forgiveness In Islam

ASSEMBLED BY MALLAM ABBA ABANA, KUBWA, ABUJA, NIGERIA

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Saturday 3rd Safar 1443 AH and 11th September 2021 CE

Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah. As-Salaam Alaikum WA-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu.

Praise be to Allaah; we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allaah from the evil of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allaah guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allaah leaves astray, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allaah, and I bear witness that Muhammad (ﷺ) is His slave and Messenger.

Preamble

This article or DAWAH is on two kinds of forgiveness in Islam:

1)    Allah’s forgiveness and

2)    Human forgiveness.

We as human beings are in need of both since we make mistakes in our relations to Allah as well as our relations to each other.

Taqwah Fear Of Allah- Yaqin Tawkkaltu [Certainty], Allah Is Testing Us

Yaqeen is generally translated as "certainty", and is considered the summit of the many stations by which the path of Walaya (sometimes translated as Sainthood) is fully completed. This is the repository of liberating experience in Islam. In relation to the exoteric religious life, certainty is the sister of religious life in its perfection (ehsân), that is, to say the adoration of Allah according to the visionary way; through this channel it is the pillar of Islam in the accomplishment of its external practices, as it is the foundation of faith (Iman) in its internal dogma. It is, in fact, ihsân which gives the external religion its true meaning and the domain of faith its real values. It occurs in the Quran about certainty, "And worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainty". Certainty (Yaqeen) comprises three degrees.

Ilm-ul-yaqeen (the knowledge of certainty)

The first degree is referred to by the name ‘Ilm-Ul-Yaqeen (the knowledge of certainty), which means that certainty is the result of knowledge. At this degree the object of certainty is knowledge just as the aim of knowledge is certainty. Both together are in the soul uniquely, such that certainty is the first degree of spiritual life and the last of speculative experience. This particular degree of mystical yaqeen is the result of divine theophanies in act at the level of existence and also the result of theophanies of lights of nature at the gnostic level.

Ayn-Ul-Yaqeen (The Vision Of Certainty)

The second degree of Yaqeen is what one calls in Sufi terms Ayn-Ul-Yaqeen (the vision of certainty), that is, certainty as a consequence of contemplation and vision. At this level, the object of certainty is present in front of the gnostic and is not only a speculative concept. Here knowledge becomes what one calls ilm-e-huzuri’’ (knowledge by Presence), and that is the second aspect of Certainty in the spiritual way and in liberating experience. By this kind of knowledge, the man of the Way is distinguished from philosophers and learned men. This particular degree of spiritual Certainty is the result of divine theophanies of Attributes at the level of existence.

Haqq-Ul-Yaqeen (The Final Level Of Certainty Gained Through Experience)

Finally, the last degree of yaqeen is called Haqq-Ul-Yaqeen (the level of certainty gained through experience), that is, certainty as supreme truth. Here, certainty has a particular coloring: it is the fruit of an all-embracing experience because the object of certainty is identical to the one who is experiencing it, knowledge being transformed into actual experience and actual experience into knowledge. At this stage, in fact, knowledge is not limited to the intellect, nor to the vision of the one who is contemplating it, it becomes one with the human being. This is the final phase of yaqeen, the apotheosis of the spiritual and intellectual journey. This high degree of Sufi certainty is the effect of the Emanation of the divine Theophanies in Essence at its existential level and that of the diffusion of the Light of lights (Dazzling Irradiations) at the level of the theophanies of the gnostic.

Sinning And AstagfiruAllahu

The black stone changed color due to the sins of man! Ibn Abbas reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The black stone descended from Paradise and it was whiter than milk, but it became black due to the sins of the children of Adam.” Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 877 [Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Tirmidhi]

Every son of Adam comes into this world unlearned and thus, free of sin. Kaaba was once white until man touched it, turning it black.

وَٱللَّهُ أَخۡرَجَكُم مِّنۢ بُطُونِ أُمَّهَـٰتِكُمۡ لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلسَّمۡعَ وَٱلۡأَبۡصَـٰرَ وَٱلۡأَفۡـِٔدَةَ‌ۙ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ (٧٨)

And Allah has extracted you from the wombs of your mothers not knowing a thing, and He made for you hearing and vision and intellect that perhaps you would be grateful. (Holy Quran Chapter 16:78)

Born with free will, humans will naturally make mistakes and fall into sin. Each person, in essence, becomes a sinner:

Every son of Adam is a sinner, but the best of sinners are those who repent often. (At-Tirmidhi- Hasan)

Islam does not require humans to be angels on earth, living sinlessly. Instead, it expects them to be genuine and perform their best:

 فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ مَا ٱسۡتَطَعۡتُمۡ وَٱسۡمَعُواْ وَأَطِيعُواْ وَأَنفِقُواْ خَيۡرً۬ا لِّأَنفُسِڪُمۡ‌ۗ وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفۡسِهِۦ فَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُفۡلِحُونَ (١٦)

So fear Allah as much as you are able. (Holy Quran Chapter 64:16)

 وَلَوۡ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلۡنَا مِنكُم مَّلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةً۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَخۡلُفُونَ (٦٠)

And if We willed, We could have made [instead] of you angels succeeding [one another] on the earth. (Holy Quran Chapter 43:60)

Islam does, however, place great emphasis on avoiding sins because they are harmful by their nature, even if they may be tempting. Sins are prohibited for good reason. Slander, stealing, murder, adultery, etc., violate the protection of either life, liberty, lineage, or honor.

The Lurking or Loitering Danger

Sins also cause negative impacts on a person’s life, impeding their success. Here is a short list of these impacts:

1. The Earth is Affected

The land and sea suffer from corruption because of sins. Allah said:

ظَهَرَ ٱلۡفَسَادُ فِى ٱلۡبَرِّ وَٱلۡبَحۡرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتۡ أَيۡدِى ٱلنَّاسِ لِيُذِيقَهُم بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِى عَمِلُواْ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ (٤١)

Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea by [reason of] what the hands of people have earned so He may let them taste part of [the consequence of] what they have done that perhaps they will return [to righteousness]. (Holy Quran Chapter 30:41)

When a righteous person has passed away, the heavens and earth grieve at their loss but does not do so for an unrighteous person. Take, for example, Pharoah and his followers, Allah said:

فَمَا بَكَتۡ عَلَيۡہِمُ ٱلسَّمَآءُ وَٱلۡأَرۡضُ وَمَا كَانُواْ مُنظَرِينَ (٢٩)

And the heaven and earth wept not for them, nor were they reprieved. (Holy Quran Chapter 44:29)

 

2. Relationship Disconnect

The relationship between a husband and wife or two loved ones can be destroyed simply by the performance of a sin. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

By the One in whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad (ﷺ), two people do not love one another and then get separated except by a sin performed by one of them. (Ahmad- Sahih)

3. Loss of Income

Sins don’t show up great on the balance sheet either. They deprive the actor of revenue and profit. Ships, a sign of wealth on their own, also serve as a means for acquiring additional wealth through trade. This source of revenue can come under destruction simply because of sin.

Allah linked the destruction of ships to the performance of sins, “what they earned”:

And whatever strikes you of disaster – it is for what your hands have earned, but He pardons much… And of His signs are the ships in the sea, like mountains. If He willed, He could still the wind, and they would remain motionless on its surface. Indeed in that are signs for everyone patient and grateful. Or He could destroy them for what they earned, but He pardons much. (Holy Quran Chapter 42:30, 32-34)

وَمَآ أَصَـٰبَڪُم مِّن مُّصِيبَةٍ۬ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتۡ أَيۡدِيكُمۡ وَيَعۡفُواْ عَن كَثِيرٍ۬ (٣٠) وَمَآ أَنتُم بِمُعۡجِزِينَ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۖ وَمَا لَكُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مِن وَلِىٍّ۬ وَلَا نَصِيرٍ۬ (٣١) وَمِنۡ ءَايَـٰتِهِ ٱلۡجَوَارِ فِى ٱلۡبَحۡرِ كَٱلۡأَعۡلَـٰمِ (٣٢) إِن يَشَأۡ يُسۡكِنِ ٱلرِّيحَ فَيَظۡلَلۡنَ رَوَاكِدَ عَلَىٰ ظَهۡرِهِۦۤ‌ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَـٰتٍ۬ لِّكُلِّ صَبَّارٍ۬ شَكُورٍ (٣٣) أَوۡ يُوبِقۡهُنَّ بِمَا كَسَبُواْ وَيَعۡفُ عَن كَثِيرٍ۬ (٣٤)

Emphasizing the danger of sins towards provisions, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

A person is certainly deprived of provisions because of a sin that afflicted them. (Ibn Majah- Hasan)

4. Loss of Favors and Blessings

At many times favors and blessings are benevolently granted by Allah. They are not taken away until man sins, by changing what is within themselves, showing ingratitude. Allah said:

ذَٲلِكَ بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَمۡ يَكُ مُغَيِّرً۬ا نِّعۡمَةً أَنۡعَمَهَا عَلَىٰ قَوۡمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُواْ مَا بِأَنفُسِہِمۡ‌ۙ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ۬ (٥٣)

That is because Allah would not change a favor which He had bestowed upon a people until they change what is within themselves. And indeed, Allah is Hearing and Knowing. (Holy Quran Chapter 8:53)

If sin brings about destruction and loss, what then should be a believer’s plan against sin?

Protection Plan or Plan Ahead

1. Know the Enemy

Being successful against sins means knowing what they are, the major sins and minor ones. In fact, good deeds can only be done properly if sins and their nature are understood.

Umar ibn al-Khattab said:

“If one does not know about the conditions before Islam (jahiliyah), they don’t know Islam.”

Hudhayfah ibn al-Yamman used to ask the Prophet about evil and said:

“The people used to ask the Messenger of Allah about the good but I would ask him about the evil, fearing it would afflict me.” (Al-Bukhari)

2. Avoid the Enemy

Islam has mandated that sins be avoided. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

If I prohibit something, avoid it. (Muslim)

To ensure sins are avoided, Islam adds another layer of protection by prohibiting nearness to sin:

أُحِلَّ لَڪُمۡ لَيۡلَةَ ٱلصِّيَامِ ٱلرَّفَثُ إِلَىٰ نِسَآٮِٕكُمۡ‌ۚ هُنَّ لِبَاسٌ۬ لَّكُمۡ وَأَنتُمۡ لِبَاسٌ۬ لَّهُنَّ‌ۗ عَلِمَ ٱللَّهُ أَنَّڪُمۡ كُنتُمۡ تَخۡتَانُونَ أَنفُسَڪُمۡ فَتَابَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ وَعَفَا عَنكُمۡ‌ۖ فَٱلۡـَٔـٰنَ بَـٰشِرُوهُنَّ وَٱبۡتَغُواْ مَا ڪَتَبَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمۡ‌ۚ وَكُلُواْ وَٱشۡرَبُواْ حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ ٱلۡخَيۡطُ ٱلۡأَبۡيَضُ مِنَ ٱلۡخَيۡطِ ٱلۡأَسۡوَدِ مِنَ ٱلۡفَجۡرِ‌ۖ ثُمَّ أَتِمُّواْ ٱلصِّيَامَ إِلَى ٱلَّيۡلِ‌ۚ وَلَا تُبَـٰشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنتُمۡ عَـٰكِفُونَ فِى ٱلۡمَسَـٰجِدِ‌ۗ تِلۡكَ حُدُودُ ٱللَّهِ فَلَا تَقۡرَبُوهَا‌ۗ كَذَٲلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَتَّقُونَ (١٨٧) وَلَا

These are the limits [set by] Allah, so do not go near them. (Holy Quran Chapter 2:187)

وَلَا تَقۡرَبُواْ ٱلزِّنَىٰٓ‌ۖ إِنَّهُ ۥ كَانَ فَـٰحِشَةً۬ وَسَآءَ سَبِيلاً۬ (٣٢) وَلَا تَقۡتُلُواْ

And do not go near to unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way. (Holy Quran Chapter 17:32)

3. Do Not Despair

Satan often traps a man with two emotions: self-amazement and despair. A righteous person can become self-amazed by his good deeds, lacking humility and gratitude to Allah. The self-amazement causes his actions to be rejected because they lack sincerity.

The other trap for the sinner is despair. Satan makes the sinner think that the sin is so great that they will never be forgiven. Utter despair. Ibn Mas’ud said:

“Destruction is in two: self-amazement and despair.”

No matter what the sin, the doors of forgiveness are open. Allah invites sinners to wipe away their sins and turn a new leaf by saying:

قُلۡ يَـٰعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسۡرَفُواْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ لَا تَقۡنَطُواْ مِن رَّحۡمَةِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَغۡفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ هُوَ ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ (٥٣)

Surely, Allah forgives all sins. (Holy Quran Chapter 39:53)

As for the verse that states: “Surely, Allah does not forgive that partners be set up with Him (shirk)”, then that is in reference to the hereafter. As long as the death rattle doesn’t begin even shirk is forgivable in this life. Allah’s message to his servants who have sinned is:

قُلۡ يَـٰعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسۡرَفُواْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ لَا تَقۡنَطُواْ مِن رَّحۡمَةِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَغۡفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ هُوَ ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ (٥٣)

Say, “O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful. (Holy Quran Chapter 39:53)

Ali ibn Abi Talib [ra] said:

“Allah does not inspire one to seek forgiveness while wanting to punish him.”

4. Constantly Seek Forgiveness

The last step is to constantly seek forgiveness for all past sins. True remorse would require one to keep asking Allah for His forgiveness and mercy. Al-Hasan said:

“A person commits a sin, but doesn’t forget it. He continues to be fearful about it until he enters paradise.”

It’s important to differentiate between being fearful of the consequences of sin, which is healthy, versus despair, which is believing that a person cannot be forgiven.

Knowing that Allah is al-Ghafir, the Forgiver, al-Ghaffar, the Frequent Forgiver, al-Ghafur, the Extensive Forgiver, the believer would continue to seek His forgiveness. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) himself would seek Allah’s forgiveness every day:

By Allah, Surely, I seek Allah’s forgiveness and repent to Him more than seventy times in a day. (Sahih al-Jami’)

 

The Importance of Forgiveness In Islam

There are two kinds of forgiveness in Islam: Allah’s forgiveness and human forgiveness. We as human beings are in need of both since we make mistakes in our relations to Allah as well as our relations to each other. In Islam, all that is needed is to recognise the mistake or sin, improve it and seek forgiveness from Allah Almighty and also from other human beings.

In Qur’an, the word “Allah is Most Merciful” is repeated many times. In Islamic religion, anyone who has committed sin can ask forgiveness directly from Allah, there is no one between Allah and the one who is asking forgiveness from Him. In Qur’an, Allah Almighty says:

“Allah loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and He loves those who keep themselves pure.”

From this Qur’anic verse, we can conclude that if someone asked forgiveness with repentance then Allah will love him/her and surely He will forgive him/her but there is one condition and that is he/she should not commit that sin or mistake again.

If someone did wrongs to another human being, the act must first be redressed with the wronged person or human being who should be asked for forgiveness before asking forgiveness from Allah. Islam teaches human beings to be forgiving and if someone sincerely asks for forgiveness, the wronged person should forgive him. Our beloved Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“Whoever suffers an injury and forgives (the person responsible), Allah will raise his status to a higher degree and remove one of his sins.”

If we expect forgiveness from Almighty Allah then we also have the ability to forgive others.

In the noble Qur’an, “forgiveness” and “mercy “are mentioned around 100 and 200 times respectively. An entire chapter of the Qur’an is devoted to the quality of mercy that is (Surah Rahman). We all know that Allah is the Most Merciful and He forgives those who ask forgiveness with repentance. There are so many Qur’anic verses related to forgiveness in Qur’an some of them I will discuss below. In the noble Qur’an Allah Almighty says:

“. . . and let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”

In this Qur’anic verse we are given the greatest motivation to push ourselves to forgive; it’s Allah’s forgiveness. In another verse of the noble Qur’an, Allah Almighty says:

وَجَزَٲٓؤُاْ سَيِّئَةٍ۬ سَيِّئَةٌ۬ مِّثۡلُهَا‌ۖ فَمَنۡ عَفَا وَأَصۡلَحَ فَأَجۡرُهُ ۥ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ (٤٠)

“The reward of the evil is the evil thereof, but whosoever forgives and makes amends, his reward is upon Allah.” [Holy Quran Chapter 42:40]

Whoever forgive others from the heart then Allah Almighty will give him reward and we know Allah’s rewards are best from all. Allah Almighty says:

مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ ٱلۡعِزَّةَ فَلِلَّهِ ٱلۡعِزَّةُ جَمِيعًاۚ إِلَيۡهِ يَصۡعَدُ ٱلۡكَلِمُ ٱلطَّيِّبُ وَٱلۡعَمَلُ ٱلصَّـٰلِحُ يَرۡفَعُهُۚ ۥ وَٱلَّذِينَ يَمۡكُرُونَ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ لَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ۬ شَدِيدٌ۬ۖ وَمَكۡرُ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُوَ يَبُورُ (١٠)

“Whosoever desires honour, power, and glory then to Allah belong all honour, power, and glory [and one can get honour, power, and glory only by worshipping Allah (Alone)]. To Him ascend (all) the goodly words i.e. and the righteous deeds exalt it (the goodly words i.e. the goodly words are not accepted by Allah unless and until they are followed by good deeds), but those who plot evils, – theirs will be a severe torment. And the plotting of such will perish.” [Holy Quran Chapter 35:10]

In another verse of the noble Qur’an, Allah Almighty says:

ذَٲلِكَ وَمَنۡ عَاقَبَ بِمِثۡلِ مَا عُوقِبَ بِهِۦ ثُمَّ بُغِىَ عَلَيۡهِ لَيَنصُرَنَّهُ ٱللَّهُ‌ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَعَفُوٌّ غَفُورٌ۬ (٦٠)

“That [is so]. And whoever responds [to injustice] with the equivalent of that with which he was harmed and then is tyrannised – Allah will surely aid him. Indeed, Allah is Pardoning and Forgiving.” [Holy Quran Chapter 22:60]

From this Qur’anic verse, we can say that Allah Almighty is all forgiving and pardoning we should seek forgiveness from Him and try to forgive others too.

Our beloved Prophet (ﷺ) was so kind and forgiving with all, no matter he is a believer or non-believer. We have so many examples from the life of Prophet (ﷺ) about forgiving others and show kindness to even those who were so rude to Him. Some of the examples from the life of Prophet (ﷺ) are mentioned below:

Abdullah Ibn Amr reported that, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), said:

“Be merciful to others and you will receive mercy. Forgive others and Allah will forgive you.” [Musnad of Imam Ahmad]

If we forgive others then Allah will forgive us, so try to be kind and forgiving so that we can get kindness, love, and forgiveness from Allah Almighty.

Abu Abdullah Al-Khadali reported that, I asked Aisha about the character of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). Aisha said:

“The Prophet was not indecent, he was not obscene, he would not shout in the markets, and he would not respond to an evil deed with an evil deed, but rather he would pardon and overlook.” [Sunan At-Tirmidhi]

One example of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)’s practice of forgiveness can be found in the Hadith, as follows:

“The Prophet (ﷺ) was the most forgiving person. He was ever ready to forgive his enemies. When he went to Ta’if to preach the message of Allah, its people mistreated him, abused him and hit him with stones. He left the city humiliated and wounded. When he took shelter under a tree, the angel of Allah visited him and told him that Allah sent him to destroy the people of Ta’if because of their sin of maltreating their Prophet. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) prayed to Allah to save the people of Ta’if because what they did was out of their ignorance.”

Aisha (RA) reported that, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), said:

“O Allah, You are forgiving and generous. You love to forgive.” [Sunan At-Tirmidhi]

Abu Hurairah (RA) said, I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying:

“I swear by Allah that I seek Allah’s Pardon and turn to Him in repentance more than seventy times a day.” [Bukhari]

The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“O people! Ask for the forgiveness of Allah and repent to Him as I ask for the forgiveness of Allah and repent to Him one hundred times a day.”

These are some of the examples from the life of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and sayings of Him. From these examples and sayings we came to know that: Whoever does not show mercy will not receive mercy. Whoever does not forgive others will not be forgiven. Whoever does not pardon others will not be pardoned. Whoever does not protect others will not be protected. So try to forgive others to receive mercy and forgiveness from Allah Almighty and others.

There are so many benefits of asking forgiveness from Allah Almighty some of them are given below:

1.     Forgiveness from Almighty Allah brings joy, reassurance and peace of mind. Allah Almighty says in Qur’an:

(٢) وَأَنِ ٱسۡتَغۡفِرُواْ رَبَّكُمۡ ثُمَّ تُوبُوٓاْ إِلَيۡهِ يُمَتِّعۡكُم مَّتَـٰعًا حَسَنًا إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ۬ مُّسَمًّ۬ى وَيُؤۡتِ كُلَّ ذِى فَضۡلٍ۬ فَضۡلَهُ ۥ‌ۖ وَإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَإِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ عَذَابَ يَوۡمٍ۬ كَبِيرٍ (٣)

2.     “And [saying], “Seek Forgiveness of your Lord and repent to Him, [and] He Will Let you enjoy a good provision.” [Holy Quran Chapter 11: 3]

3.     Forgiveness from Allah results in the healthy and strong body free of diseases and disabilities.

4.     Forgiveness saved from Fitnah and afflictions.

5.     If someone wants righteous kids, lawful money and expanded sustenance then he/she should ask forgiveness from Almighty Allah.

6.     Want to increase rewards and sins to be forgiven ask forgiveness from Almighty Allah. The Almighty Allah Says:

وَإِذۡ قُلۡنَا ٱدۡخُلُواْ هَـٰذِهِ ٱلۡقَرۡيَةَ فَڪُلُواْ مِنۡهَا حَيۡثُ شِئۡتُمۡ رَغَدً۬ا وَٱدۡخُلُواْ ٱلۡبَابَ سُجَّدً۬ا وَقُولُواْ حِطَّةٌ۬ نَّغۡفِرۡ لَكُمۡ خَطَـٰيَـٰكُمۡ‌ۚ وَسَنَزِيدُ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ (٥٨)

“And say, ‘Relieve us of our burdens.’ We will [then] forgive your sins for you, and We will Increase the doers of good [in goodness and reward].” [Holy Quran Chapter 2: 58]

7.     In the noble Qur’an, Allah Almighty says, Kind Speech and Forgiveness are better than Charity:

 قَوۡلٌ۬ مَّعۡرُوفٌ۬ وَمَغۡفِرَةٌ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّن صَدَقَةٍ۬ يَتۡبَعُهَآ أَذً۬ى‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَنِىٌّ حَلِيمٌ۬ (٢٦٣)

“A kind and courteous word and forgiveness are (much) better than the charity that is followed by (such an emotional) abuse. Allah is free of all wants and the most Forbearing.” [Holy Quran Chapter 2:263]

In short, when sincerely asking for forgiveness, the intention should be not to knowingly repeat the same sin again. A Muslim is to think better of Allah. No denying the fact that Allah is Mighty, Just and Wrathful, however, at the same time He is Merciful and forgiving. May Allah give us the strength to forgive others and also ask forgiveness from them, ameen.

Most of us know there are several Qur’anic verses that talk about the importance of forgiving others in our lives.

Then the interesting bit comes — bringing it into practice. To be really honest with yourself, have you always forgiven others for the wrongs they’ve done to you? Or have you just said, “I forgive you,” while the ill feelings lingered in your heart? Let’s look at one part of this beautiful verse:

وَلَا يَأۡتَلِ أُوْلُواْ ٱلۡفَضۡلِ مِنكُمۡ وَٱلسَّعَةِ أَن يُؤۡتُوٓاْ أُوْلِى ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ وَٱلۡمَسَـٰكِينَ وَٱلۡمُهَـٰجِرِينَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۖ وَلۡيَعۡفُواْ وَلۡيَصۡفَحُوٓاْ‌ۗ أَلَا تُحِبُّونَ أَن يَغۡفِرَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمۡ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ۬ رَّحِيمٌ (٢٢)

“. . . and let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” [Holy Quran Chapter 24:22]

8.     Allah Almighty created us and He knows what is best for us. This is something we often seem to forget. Allah knows it can be very hard to really forgive someone who hurt you and in this verse we are given the greatest motivation to push ourselves to forgive; it’s Allah’s forgiveness.

9.     Allah Almighty is telling us here what the big motivator is for us suppressing our Nafs (Ego) and forgiving other people, even when they don’t even ask for our forgiveness.

10.                        That is the importance of forgiveness. There’s no space for a big ego if you want to be forgiven by Allah the Most High.

11.                        When we think of forgiveness we mostly think of Allah’s forgiveness and we forget how important it is that we also forgive. We need to remember both, because if we don’t forgive we do wrong in our relationship with Allah as well as in our relationships with each other. How can we expect Allah Almighty to forgive us, while we are not even willing to forgive others?

American scientists recently discovered that stress-related backache, insomnia and stomach aches were significantly reduced among individuals who had the habit of forgiving others.

So, forgiving others improves your physical ability and lightens your heart, which makes it the recipient of a great source of reward from Allah Almighty — also an amazing productivity tip!

Our journey to the Hereafter is full of difficulties and tests, this is our way to prove who we are and this process includes injustice being done to us at the hands of others. If we truly want Allah’s love and forgiveness we must remember that the hurts of this world are only temporary.

12.                        Look at this beautiful treasure from our beloved Prophet (ﷺ):

“I guarantee a house in Jannah (Paradise) for one who gives up arguing, even if he is in the right; and I guarantee a house in the middle of Jannah (Paradise) for one who abandons lying even for the sake of fun; and I guarantee a house in the highest part of Jannah (Paradise) for one who has good manners.” [Abu Dawud]

13.                        To motivate us to be the first in showing our good behaviour, there is a beautiful Hadith. How many of us know that it is not allowed to be in an argument and keep away from another Muslim for more than three days? The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

14.                        “It is not permissible for a man to forsake his Muslim brother for more than three days, each of them turning away from the other when they meet. The better of them is the one who gives the greeting of salam first.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

Forgiving others is crucial for our success in the Hereafter; one forgives to seek forgiveness. But forgiving others also brings lots of physical and spiritual benefits in this world!

To inspire us to fight our ego and really try to forgive with our hearts and not only with our lips, Abu Sa’id al-Khudri reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

“When the believers pass safely over (the bridge across) Hell, they will be stopped at a bridge (the Sirat) between Hell and Paradise where they will retaliate against one another for the injustices done among them in the world, and when they are purified of all their sins, they will be admitted to Paradise. By Him in Whose hands the life of Muhammad is, everybody will recognise his dwelling in Paradise better than he recognises his dwelling in this world.” [Bukhari]

15.                        So think about Allah, your Most Beloved, and think about your ego. The choice is yours.

Imagine that moment on the Sirat when those who you wronged will be free to take away your Hasanat (good deeds) and you might end up not having enough left to pass to Jannah (Paradise).

16.                        Ask forgiveness from others and forgive those you have ill-feelings for asap.

You can make a general email or a text for all your friends/family/colleagues saying e.g: “Dear brother/sister, please forgive me if I ever said anything which made you upset or hurt you, I love you for the sake of Allah. May we be reunited in Jannah (Paradise.)”

If there are specific people you are in an argument with, to whom you haven’t spoke for a while, take action.

17.                        Phone them or visit them to ask for their forgiveness and tell them you forgive them! A beautiful idea is to give especially these persons in your life a little gift, suffice is the statement of Prophet (ﷺ) that:

“Give gifts and you shall love one another.” [Bukhari]

Conclusion

Lastly, dear brothers and sisters, know that, for Allah to forgive us, we also have the ability to forgive others! May Allah Almighty give us all the ability to forgive others for the wrong they do to us and make us more productive Muslims through this and may Allah forgive us all for our sins, ameen. Allah, purify our hearts from grudges, envy, and cheating. O Allah, amend our relations with our relatives. O Allah, amend our relations with our loved ones. O Allah, make life an increase for us in every good and make death a relief for us from every evil with Your mercy, O Most Merciful of the Merciful. I ask Allah for peace and good health, and to protect us and all the brothers and sisters, ameen.