Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Forgiveness and repentance

How often is our patience tested through daily trials? How often do we lose sight of our goal as Muslims? How often do we forgive those who hurt us?

I have been pondering upon the importance of repentance and forgiveness. We are all weak humans, when we give into the whispers of shaytan sadness takes over our souls. If such feelings are persistent, then one has not repented to Allah (swt), for Allah (swt) never turns away a repentant slave, He is Most-Forgiving.

وَٱسۡتَغۡفِرِ ٱللَّهَ‌ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ غَفُورً۬ا رَّحِيمً۬ا
But seek the forgiveness of Allah; for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
سُوۡرَةُ النِّسَاء: 106

I recall getting very frustrated with some family members, the worries of life had its toll on me. My father saw that I was suffering deep inside. He sat me down and asked me why I could not let my worries go and forgive the individual who had hurt me very much, I replied "I can't forgive her, dad". My father then said something to me that has never left my mind to this day, he said:
if Allah (swt) forgives all our hideous sins, then who are we not to forgive one another?
It is of utmost importance for us to remember that no matter how hurt we feel, no matter what an individual has done to us, we must put our trust and reliance in Allah (swt), Is he not the Most-Forgiving?

For every sin we have committed, repentance and reliance on Allah alone is the key to a happy heart, a happy heart is consistently in the remembrance of Allah (swt).

Live every minute as if it is your last, seek forgiveness from Allah (swt).


Narrated Mujahid:
Abdullah bin 'Umar said, "Allah's Apostle took hold of my shoulder and said, 'Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveler.'" The sub-narrator added: Ibn 'Umar used to say, "If you survive till the evening, do not expect to be alive in the morning, and if you survive till the morning, do not expect to be alive in the evening, and take from your health for your sickness, and (take) from your life for your death."
(Bukhari :: Book 8 :: Volume 76 :: Hadith 425)

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