The Definition of seeking the Forgiveness of Allah (1/2)

The Forgiveness of Allah means the protection against the evil of the fault. The Forgiveness of Allah is better than His covering up the fault, as the Forgiveness of Allah means the protection against the evil of the fault, so the slave will not be punished for it.

As for covering up the fault only, he may be punished for it in secret and the slave who was punished for the fault secretly or openly, his faults have not been forgiven.

The Forgiveness of Allah is realized if the slave isn’t punished for the fault the due punishment.

Seeking the Forgiveness of Allah and its great importance in the relation between the Muslim and his Lord:

Surely, seeking the Forgiveness of Allah has a great importance in Islam, as there’re many verses in the Honourable Qur'an, which focus on the Forgiveness of Allah and seeking the Forgiveness of Allah, in ordering, requesting, or praising form.

Surely, Allah ordered His Prophet Muhammad (May Allah exalt his mention, and peace be upon him) saying:

 “And seek the Forgiveness of Allah, certainly, Allah is Ever Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Surah An-Nisa': 106)

And Allah, the Most High, ordered the faithful saying:

“And seek Forgiveness of Allah. Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most-Merciful.” (Surah Al-Muzzammil: 20)

And there’re other verses focusing on the same subject.

And there’re also many authentic traditions which shows the importance of seeking the Forgiveness of Allah, Allah's reward for it, and the necessity of the slave for it. The Prophet (May Allah exalt his mention, and peace be upon him) said:

 “Sometimes I perceive a veil over my heart, and I supplicate Allah for forgiveness a hundred times in a day.”

And said:

“By the One in Whose Hand my soul is! If you do not commit sins, Allah would replace you with a people who would commit sins and seek forgiveness from Allah; and Allah will certainly forgive them.”

And seeking the Forgiveness of Allah has a great importance in the life of the Muslim, as it has many advantages and blessings. Allah has raised its significance in His Honourable Book, He mentioned it ordering the Muslims to do it at more than eighteen verses, and mentioned it in a praising form at sixteen verses.

And this denotes its great status and that its doing by the slave is liked by Allah, as by it, Allah removes the troubles, blots out the faults, covers up the defects, purifies the hearts.

And by it, blessings descend from the heavens, properties and progenies increase, and what is greater than that is what happens in the Hereafter, as raising the ranks in the Gardens of delight (Paradise).

And seeking the Forgiveness of Allah is a separate form of worshipping Him and it is a means of approach to Him, so, every slave needs it even the Prophets, Messengers, and Angels (May Allah exalt their mention, and peace be upon each one of them). And this is our Prophet and model, Muhammad (May Allah exalt his mention, and peace be upon him) who was the best example as regards this aspect, he was used to seeking the Forgiveness of Allah and worshipping Him frequently, while we have a greater necessity for that, due to our lower status and weakness of our faith.

Surely, he (May Allah exalt his mention, and peace be upon him) was seeking the Forgiveness of Allah frequently while sitting or standing.

It was reported that Abu Huraira (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “I did not see anyone used to say: “I seek the Forgiveness of Allah, and I turn to Him in repentance.” more frequent than the Messenger of Allah (May Allah exalt his mention, and peace be upon him).”

And before that, we have a greater necessity for seeking the Forgiveness of Allah, knowing its meanings and secrets, and increasing its frequency, as submission and humiliation to the Creator - I honor Him from all what (unsuitable things) is ascribed to Him - are markedly apparent in it.

And he whom Allah intends good, He guides him to repentance, seeking His Forgiveness, remorse, humiliation to Him, continuous invocation and supplication which make this fault a reason for Allah's mercy to the extent that Allah's enemy, Satan, says: "I wish I left him, and did not tempt him to commit it."

Allah mentioned that Adam, the Father of humans, see sought His Forgiveness and repented to Him, so, He chose him, accepted his repentance, and guided him. As for Satan, the father of jinns, He cursed him, as he did not repent and accused the Foreordainment.

So, whosoever committed a fault, then repented and regretted, he imitated his Father, Adam. And whosoever committed a fault, and insisted on it, he imitated Satan.

And seeking the Forgiveness of Allah is a continuous need of the Muslim, and due its importance, Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, mentioned it in conjugation with Monotheism in several verses, such as:

“So know (O Muhammad!) that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and ask forgiveness for your sin, and also for (the sin of) believing men and believing women." (Surah Muhammad: 19)

And Allah - I honor Him from all what (unsuitable things) is ascribed to Him – encouraged us to hasten to ask His forgiveness when we commit a fault, as He forgives the sins, as He says:

“And whoever does evil or wrongs himself but afterwards seeks Allah's Forgiveness, he will find Allah Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Surah An-Nisa': 110)

And in the narration of Anas:

“Allah, the Exalted, has said: 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.”

And seeking Allah's Forgiveness has a great value and many benefits, in this worldly life and in the Hereafter. Muhammad (May Allah exalt his mention, and peace be upon him), and his nation following him, were ordered to hold fast to it. Allah, the Exalted, said:

“And by the Mercy of Allah, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh hearted, they would have broken away from about you; so pass over (their faults), and ask (Allah's) Forgiveness for them; and consult them in the affairs.” (Surah Aal-'Imran: 159)

And said:

“So be patient (O Muhammad!). Verily, the Promise of Allah is true, and ask forgiveness for your fault, and glorify the praises of your Lord in the Ashi (i.e. the time period after the mid-noon till sunset) and in the Ibkar (i.e. the time period from early morning or sunrise till before mid-noon)” (Surah Ghafir: 55)

And Allah guaranteed for the nation of Muhammad (May Allah exalt his mention, and peace be upon him) that through asking forgiveness, general destruction and torment will not overtake them:

“And Allah would not punish them while you (Muhammad - peace be on him -) are amongst them, nor will He punish them while they seek (Allah's) Forgiveness.” (Surah Al-Anfal: 33) 

 (Continued)