Repentance
Date: 2008-02-15
Format: text
Identifier: http://www.islamworld.net/repent.html
Language: en
Subject: tazkiyah
Title: Repentance
Created on: Wed Jan 09 15:02:25 -0500 2008
Updated on: Fri Feb 15 15:39:39 -0500 2008
Version: 3
Abstract: ... Its importance is shown to us in a hadeeth in which the Prophet, Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said: "O people! Turn to Allaah in repentance and seek His forgiveness, for surely I make repentance a hundred times every day." (5) Repentance is such a great act of worship that doing it can totally erase our sins altoghether, as the Prophet, Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said: "One who repents from sin is like one without sin." (6) ONLY ALLAAH CAN FORGIVE SINS Forgiveness for our sins is not something that comes automatically, it is something that must be sought sincerely and with consciousness. Also we should remember that it is only through Allaah's Mercy that anyone will ever enter Paradise. The Prophet, Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam advised: "Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and rejoice, for no one's good deeds will put him in Paradise." The Companions asked, "Not even you O Messenger of Allaah?" He replied. "Not even me unless Allaah bestows His pardon and mercy on me." (7) Therefore in Islaam, salvation rests on faith (which includes), good actions and hope in Allaah's mercy, all combined in truly unique manner which is not found in any other religion or system. Furthermore, it is only Allaah who can forgive our sins and He is not in need of any intercessor. The proof for this is in a du'aa (supplication) which the Prophet Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam taught his closest Companion Abu Bakr(8): "O Allaah, truly I have wronged myself and none can forgive sins except you." (9) Therefore it is a complete waste of time asking forgiveness from the people such as "saints", pious people or even the Prophet Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam. Allaah say in reply to people who do such things: "VERILY, THOSE YOU CALL UPON BESIDES ALLAAH, ARE ONLY SLAVES LIKE YOURSELVES." [a;-A'raaf (7):194] It is important that we never despair of Allaah's Mercy - no sin is too great to repent for... or too little for that matter. As one of the salaf (Pious predecessors) said: "Do not look at the insignifance of your sins, but consider the greatness of The One you are disobeying." (10) 1. Narrated b... [Full Article...]
