Allah Almighty’s mercy and forgiveness
HUMAN beings are not perfect.Forgiveness is a critical aspect of Islam as everybody makes mistakes in life and unintentionally commits sins.
Muslims believe that Allah is Merciful and Forgiving.In the Qur’an, the word “Allah is Most Merciful” is repeated many times.
In Islamic religion, anyone who has committed sin can ask forgiveness from Allah, there is no one between Allah and the one who is asking forgiveness from Him.
The abundance of Allah’s mercy will not come without pure actions. Pure actions, when performed, will make you deserving of Allah’s mercy.
This, in turn, will enable you to earn the delights of Janna hand His pleasure. The Qur’an proclaims: Call on Him with fear and longing. Surely, Allah’s mercy is ever near to the doers of good. (Al-Aaraf : 56)
The Holy Prophet also said: No one will be saved (from the Hell fire and admitted into Paradise) by his deeds alone. When asked, not even you, O Messenger of God!
He said, yes, not even me, unless Allah covers me with His mercy. So, do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately in the morning, in the afternoon and during part of the night.
Always remember moderation and always abide by moderation.Thus, you will reach your destination. (Al-Bukhari) Be reassured that Allah is not a vengeful God, ready to punish, but rather, He is always full of mercy and compassion. He, Himself has declared, (My mercy encompasses all things.) (Al-Aaraf: 156)
Likewise, consider, the manner in which our actions are recorded in His scale of justice, as explained by the Holy Prophet: Allah records the good deeds and the bad deeds thus: If anyone intends to do a good deed but does not actually do it, Allah writes it down with Him as a full good deed.
If he intends it, and does it too, Allah writes it down with Him as ten to seven hundred times that good deed, or many times over.
If anyone intends to do a bad deed but does not actually do it, Allah writes it down with Him as a full good deed.
When he intends a bad deed and does it as well, only then Allah writes it down as one bad deed. (Al-Bukhari)
Thus, as long as our actions are worthy and deserving of Allah’s mercy, His mercy will not be denied to us.
The Holy Prophet has again explained: There are one hundred parts of mercy.
Allah has given only one part which is distributed among the jinn, humankind, animals and insects.
It is because of this that they are kind to one another, show mercy to one another; it is because of it that a wild animal is kind to its young.
But, Allah has kept ninety-nine parts of mercy with Him, which He will show to His servants on the Day of Resurrection. (Al-Bukhari)
The decision to live our lives for the sake of Allah is no guarantee that we will not forget Allah and commit mistakes for ‘All children of Adam are sinners, but best among sinners are those who constantly repent.
(At-Tirmazi) Imam Bukhari recorded that even the Holy Prophet, though he was sinless, sought Allah’s forgiveness 70 times a day.
We should, therefore, constantly seek the forgiveness of Allah for every single sin, small or great.
Allah says: Ask forgiveness from your Lord, then turn towards Him in repentance; He will loosen the sky over you in abundance, and He will add strength unto your strength. (Hud : 52)
Seeking continuous forgiveness of Allah will assist in ensuring that our hearts and souls remain pure and wholesome.
The Prophet said in this regard: When a Believer sins, a black spot appears on his heart. But if he repents and seeks Allah’s forgiveness, his heart becomes cleansed and polished.
However, if he continues to commit more and more sins (without seeking forgiveness) the spot continues to spread and ultimately covers all of his heart.
This is the rust which Allah mentions [in the Qur’an]: (What deeds they earn rust upon their hearts.) (Al-Mutaffifin : 14)
Whatever the magnitude of our misdeeds, Allah is always ready to respond with an even greater amount of pardon.
Therefore, never despair of the mercy of Allah, in seeking His forgiveness. Thus, as long as there is hope there remains opportunity for redemption and salvation.
Be aware, though, that the best form of repentance involves a firm resolve to reform and do better.
The best supplication for seeking forgiveness is to say: O Allah! You are my Lord. There is no true god except You.
You have created me, and I am Your slave, and I hold to Your Covenant as far as I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done.
I acknowledge the favours that You have bestowed upon me, and I confess my sins. Pardon me, for none but You have the power to pardon.
He who supplicates in these terms during the day with firm belief in it and dies on the same day (before the evening), he will be one of the dwellers of Jannah and if anyone supplicates in these terms during the night with firm belief in it and dies before the morning, he will be one of the dwellers of Jannah. (Al-Bukhari). May Allah make us from those who constantly seek His forgiveness and mercy.
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Islamabad.
