The causes of forgiveness

Ramadan is the month of forgiveness when Allah forgives the sins of the pious believers and emancipate them from Hell. So, the one who fasts Ramadan in sincere faith and hoping for Allah's Reward and whoever stays up for worship in sincere faith and hoping for Allah's Reward, Allah shall forgive their past sins. On the other hand, whoever turns away from the causes of forgiveness in Ramadan and his sins were not forgiven, when he shall gain the pardon and forgiveness of Allah?!

Verily, Allah (may He be Exalted) keeps him away and expels him in response to the invocation of the archangel when he said: "Let them be perished those who catch Ramadan without being forgiven."

If the season of goodness has elapsed by the end of Ramadan, the actions of good deeds never end and the causes of forgiveness are always continuous. And whoever gains forgiveness in Ramadan shall not miss these causes after Ramadan. The causes of forgiveness are many and easy for those whom Allah guides to them and these are some of the causes of forgiveness which we review with their proofs in short:

Monotheism and leaving out polytheism are from the greatest causes of forgiveness:

Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "Allâh has promised those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism) and do deeds of righteousness, that for them there is forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise). *And those who disbelieve and deny our Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) are those who will be the dwellers of the Hell-fire." [Surat Al Ma'idah: 9 - 10].

Allah (Exalted be He) says: "The believers are only those who, when Allâh is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His Verses (this Qur'ân) are recited to them, they (i.e. the Verses) increase their Faith; and they put their trust in their Lord (Alone). * Who perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât) and spend out of that We have provided them. * It is they who are the believers in truth. For them are grades of dignity with their Lord, and Forgiveness and a generous provision (Paradise)." [Surat Al Anfal: 2 - 4].

Allah (Exalted be He) says: "And verily, I am indeed forgiving to him who repents, believes (in My Oneness, and associates none in worship with Me) and does righteous good deeds, and then remains constant in doing them, (till his death)." [Surat Taha: 82].

Allah (Exalted be He) says: "Verily, Allâh forgives not that partners should be set up with Him (in worship), but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He wills." [Surat An-Nisa': 48].

It was reported in the Divine Hadith, Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted) says: "O son of Adam, If you come to Me with an earthful of sins then you meet Me without associating anything with Me in worship, I will certainly grant you as much pardon as will fill the earth." [At-Tirmidhy 3540].

It is reported in Sahih Muslim: "He who comes with goodness, there are in store for him ten like those and even more than those: And he who comes with vice, it is only for that that he is called to account. I even forgive him (as I like) and he who draws close to Me by the span of a palm I draw close to him by the cubit, and he who draws close to Me by the cubit I draw close to him by the space (covered) by two hands, and he who walks towards Me I rush towards him, and he who meets Me in the state that his sins fill the earth, but not associating anything with Me, I would meet Him with the same (vastness) of pardon (on My behalf)." [Sahih Muslim 2687].

It was reported in the Hadith of Abu Dhar about those who dies on the true monotheism: "Nobody says: None has the right to be worshipped but Allah and then later on he dies while believing in that, except that he will enter Paradise even If he had committed illegal sexual intercourse and theft inspite of the Abu Dharr's dislikeness."

Al Bukhari said: This is at death or before it; when a person repents and regrets and says: "There is no deity but Allah," his sins shall be forgiven. Hadiths reported in this meaning are numerous such as the Hadith of `Uthman in Sahih Muslim: "He who dies while knowing that there is none worthy of worship but Allah shall enter paradise."

The Hadith of the sheets at Sunan At-Tirmidhy and Musnad Ahmad is clear in this regard when the sheets of bad records fly away and the phrase of monotheism is outbalanced.

Seeking the forgiveness of Allah:

Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "Then depart from the place whence all the people depart and ask Allâh for His Forgiveness. Truly, Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most-Merciful." [Surat Al Baqarah: 199].

Allah (Exalted be He) says: "And they say: We hear, and we obey. (We seek) Your Forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the return (of all)." [Surat Al Baqarah: 285].

Allah (Exalted be He) says: "And whoever does evil or wrongs himself but afterwards seeks Allâh's Forgiveness, he will find Allâh Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." [Surat An-Nisa': 110].

Allah (Exalted be He) says: "And those who, when they have committed Fâhishah (great sin as illegal sexual intercourse) or wronged themselves with evil, remember Allâh and ask forgiveness for their sins; - and none can forgive sins but Allâh - and do not persist in what (wrong) they have done, while they know. * For such, the reward is Forgiveness from their Lord, and Gardens with rivers flowing underneath (Paradise), wherein they shall abide forever. How excellent is this reward for the doers (who do righteous deeds according to Allâh's Orders)." [Surat Al `Imran: 135 - 136].

It was reported in the Divine Hadith: "O son of Adam, if your sins reach the height of the heaven then you ask for forgiveness, I shall forgive you without giving heed."

If a person commits a sin then asks for Allah's forgiveness, Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted) says to angels: "My Servant has known that he has a Lord who punishes for sins and forgives sins, I hold you as witnesses that I shall forgive him."

And Hadiths reported in this regard are numerous.

Piety:

Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "O you who believe! If you obey and fear Allâh, He will grant you Furqân [(a criterion to judge between right and wrong), or (Makhraj, i.e. a way for you to get out from every difficulty)], and will expiate for you your sins, and forgive you; and Allâh is the Owner of the Great Bounty." [Surat Al Anfal: 29].

Invocation and wishing for a response:

Allah (may He be Exalted) said in the Divine Hadith: "O son of Adam, I shall go on forgiving you so long as you invoke Me and aspire for My forgiveness whatever may be your sins."

The invocation of parents to their children is included in this type as was reported in the Hadith: "When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things:

Of which he mentioned: "Or a virtuous descendants who invokes for him (for the deceased)."

Following of the Messenger (peace be upon him):

Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "Say (O Muhammad peace be upon him to mankind): If you (really) love Allâh then follow me (i.e. accept Islâmic Monotheism, follow the Qur'ân and the Sunnah), Allâh will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." [Surat Al `Imran: 31].

Spending in the way of Allah for better or for worse, suppressing anger, and pardon along with ability:

Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for Al-Muttaqûn (the pious). *Those who spend (in Allâh's Cause) in prosperity and in adversity, who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allâh loves Al-Muhsinûn (the good-doers)." [Surat Al `Imran: 133 - 134].

Allah (Exalted be He) says: "The recompense for an evil is an evil like thereof; but whoever forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is with Allâh. Verily, He likes not the Zâlimûn (oppressors, polytheists, and wrong-doers)." [Surat Ash-Shura: 40].

Observing patience when doing righteous deeds:

Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "Except those who show patience and do righteous good deeds: those, theirs will be forgiveness and a great reward (Paradise)." [Surat Hud: 11].

Allah (Exalted be He) says: "And verily, whosoever shows patience and forgives, that would truly be from the things recommended by Allâh." [Surat Ash-Shura: 43].

Perfecting ablution:

`Uthman narrated: "I saw the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) performing ablution like this ablution of mine and then he said: He who performed ablution like this, all his previous sins would be expiated and his Salah and going to the masjid would have an extra reward." [Sahih Muslim].

It was reported in the narration of Ibn Majah: "Whoever performs ablution as I have done, his previous sins shall be forgiven."

Hadiths reported in atoning sins because of ablution are numerous.

Dhikr after ablution:

`Umar narrated from the Prophet (peace be upon him) that he said: "Whoever of you performs Wudu' carefully and then affirms: 'Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallahu wa Anna Muhammadan `Abduhu wa Rasuluhu [I testify that there so no true god except Allah Alone, Who has no partners and that Muhammad ((peace be upon him) is His slave and Messenger],' the eight gates of Paradise are opened for him to enter from wherever he wants." [Reported by muslim: 234]

In the narration in At-Tirmidhy, it is added: "Allahummaj-`alni minat-tawwabina, waj-`alni minal-mutatahhirin (O Allah make me among those who repent and purify themselves)."  

Offering two Rak'ahs after ablution:

`Uqbah ibn `Amir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "If any Muslim performs ablution well, then stands and offers two Rak`ahs setting about them with his heart as well as his face, Paradise would be guaranteed to him." [Sahih Muslim].

`Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Anyone performs ablution like that of mine and offers a two-Rak`ah prayer during which he does not think of anything else (not related to the present prayer) his past sins will be forgiven." [Reported by Al Bukhari and Muslim].

The Messenger (peace be upon him) said: "There is no person performs ablution well then offers Salah but his sins (which he committed) were not pardoned between the Salah that he offered and the next one." [Sahih Muslim].

Such Salah along with perfect ablution is one of the actions that lead to Paradise as was reported in the Hadith of Bilal when the Prophet (peace be upon him)asked about the most hopeful act he has committed? Thereupon, Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Whenever I nullify my ablution, I perform ablution again, and when I perform ablution, I offer Salah."

The call to Salah:

It was reported in [Sahih Al Jami` As-Saghir] that the Messenger of Allah said: "The sins of Muezzin shall be forgiven as soon as he finishes Adhan and every living soul and inanimate shall ask for Allah's forgiveness for him."

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "The Muezzin shall receive forgiveness to the extent to which his voice reaches, and his reward shall be like the reward of those who offer Salah with him."

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Allah and the angels send blessings upon the first row. The Muezzin shall receive forgiveness to the extent to which his voice reaches, and every moist and dry place will testify on his behalf and he shall have the same reward of those who offer Salah with him."

Responding to a muezzin and repeating Adhan:

Sa`d ibn Abu Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "He who says after the Adhan: Ashhadu an la ilaha illal-lahu wahdahu la sharika lah, Wa Anna Muhammadan `Abduhu warasuluh, Raditu billahi Rabban wa Bimuhammadin Rasulan, wa Bil-Islami Dinan, Ghufira Lahu Dhanbuh (I testify that there is none worthy of worship (in truth) but Allah alone. Who has no partner, and that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger, (and that) I am satisfied with Allah as my Lord, with Muhammad as Messenger. and with Islam as din (code of life), his sins would be forgiven)." [Sahih Muslim].

Responding to muezzin and reciting invocation after Adhan is a cause of the Prophet's intercession for a Muslim and a cause for bringing about the mercy of Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted) to His Servant, and a cause for answering his invocation.

Going to mosque on foot for congregational Salah:

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Shall I tell you the things by which Allah erases wrong actions and by which he raises ranks: The complete and correct performance of ablution in adverse conditions, a great number of steps towards the masjids, and waiting for the next Salah after a person offers the current Salah. That is the firm hold."

He (peace be upon him) said: "Expiations are: Performing ablution properly, moving to congregational Salahs, and staying in masjids after Salah."

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever washes (ghassala) and performs ghusl, comes early to the masjid, walks and does not ride, comes closer to the imam, listens and does not use idle talk, he shall have by every step the reward of fasting and staying up one full year."

The five daily Salah and the congregational Salah:

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The Five Salah, and from one Friday Salah to (the next) Friday Salah, and Ramadan to Ramadan is an expiation of the sins committed in between their intervals if major sins are not committed." [Reported by Al Bukhari and Muslim].

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "If there was a river at the door of anyone of you and he took a bath in it five times a day would you notice any dirt on him? They said: Not a trace of dirt would be left. The Prophet (peace be upon him) added: That is the example of the five prayers with which Allah blots out (annuls) evil deeds."

A man came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said: O Messenger Allah, I have committed a legally punishable sin; please inflict the legal punishment on me. He said: It was the time for Salah. He performed Salah with the Prophet (peace be upon him) and when the Prophet (peace be upon him) had finished his Salah, He said: O Messenger Allah, I have committed a legally punishable sin; please inflict the punishment on me according to Allah's Laws. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:"Have not you offered Salah with us? He said: Yes. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Allah has forgiven your sin." [Sahih Muslim 2764 - 2765].

In another narration: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said to the man: Did not you see that as you got out of the house, you performed ablution perfectly well. O Allah's Messenger, of course I did it. He again said to him: Then you observed prayer along with us. He said: Allah's Messenger, yes, it is so. Thereupon Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said to him: Verily, Allah has exempted you from the imposition of hadd, or he said: From your sin." [Sahih Muslim 2765].

It was reported in Sahih Al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim that the following Ayah was revealed about that man: "And perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât), at the two ends of the day and in some hours of the night [i.e. the five compulsory Salât (prayers)]. Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds (i.e. small sins). That is a reminder (an advice) for the mindful (those who accept advice)." [Surat Hud: 114]. Thereupon, a man said: Is this especially for him? He said: But for all the people."

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "He who performed ablution for Salah and performed it properly and then went to observe obligatory Salah and offered it along with people or with the congregation or in the masjid, Allah would pardon his sins." [Sahih Muslim 232].

Al Jumu`ah [Friday] Salah:

Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "O you who believe (Muslims)! When the call is proclaimed for the Salât (prayer) on Friday (Jumu'ah prayer), come to the remembrance of Allâh [Jumu'ah religious talk (Khutbah) and Salât (prayer)] and leave off business (and every other thing). That is better for you if you did but know!" [Surat Al Jumu`ah: 9].

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "The five (daily) Salah (prayers), and from one Friday Salah to the (next) Friday Salah, and from Ramadan to Ramadan are expiations for the (sins) committed in between (their intervals); provided the major sins are not committed." [Reported by Al Bukhari and Muslim].

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "He who takes a bath and then comes for Jumu`ah Salah then offers as many Salahs as destined for him, then keeps silence till the Imam finishes the sermon, and then offers Salah along with him, his sins between that time and the next Friday would be forgiven, and even of three more days." [Sahih Muslim 857].

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever takes a bath on Friday, purifies himself as much as he can, then uses his (hair) oil or perfumes himself with the scent of his house, then proceeds (for the Jumu`ah Salah) and does not separate two persons sitting together (in the masjid), then offers as much as (Allah has) written for him and then remains silent while the Imam is delivering the sermon, his sins in-between the present and the last Friday would be forgiven." [Al Bukhari 883, 910, and An-Nasa'y 1403].

Repeating Amen after the Imam:

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)said: "When the Imam says Amen, say Amen, for anyone whose Amen coincides with that of the angels all his past sins will be forgiven." [Sahih Muslim 410].

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "When anyone amongst you utters in Salah: "Amen!" and the angels in the heaven say: "Amen!" and one accedes with the other, all his previous sins will be forgiven." [Sahih Muslim 410].

Saying: "Our Lord, to You is all praise."

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: When the imam says: "Sami`a Allahu Liman Hamidah" [May Allah answer he who praises Him] Say: "Allahumma Rabbana Laka Al Hamd" [O Allah, Our Lord, to You is all praise], for the one whose "Amen" accedes the "Amen" of angels, his pas sins shall be forgiven." [Sahih Muslim].

The Forenoon Salah along with sitting for reciting Adhkar after the Dawn (Fajr) Salah:

At-Tirmidhy reported with a weak chain of narration: "Whoever used to offer the Duha Salah (Forenoon Salah), his past sins shall be forgiven even if they are as many as the foam of the sea."

It was reported in Sunan Abu Dawud with a controversial chain of narration: "If anyone sits in his place of Salah when he finishes the Dawn Salah till he prays the two Rak`ahs of the Forenoon, saying nothing but what is good, his sins shall be forgiven even if they are more than the foam of the sea."

It was reported in Sahih Muslim that the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not leave his praying place until the sun rises."

It was reported by At-Tirmidhy: "Whoever offers the Fajr Salah in congregation then sits to mention Allah till the sun rises then offers two Rak`ahs, he shall receive the reward of performing Hajj." [A good Hadith]

At-Tabarany reported: "Whoever offers the Subh Salah [Fajr Salah] in a masjid where congregational Salahs are held then sits until he offers the Forenoon Salah he shall have the reward of the one who performs Hajj and `Umrah perfectly."

Qiyam-ul-Layl (standing for optional Salah at night), particularly in Ramadan and in Laylat-ul-Qadr (the Night of Decree):

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever performs Salah at night the whole month of Ramadan out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, all his previous sins will be forgiven."

He said: "Whoever establishes Salah on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, all his previous sins will be forgiven."

Reciting Dhikr after Salah:

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "He who recites after every Salah: Subhan-Allah (Allah is free from imperfection) thirty-three times; Al Hamdulillah (praise be to Allah) thirty-three times; Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest) thirty-three times; those are nintey nine and completes the hundred with: La ilaha illallahu, Wahdahu La Sharika Lahu, lahul-Mulku Wa Lahul-Hamdu, Wa Huwa `Ala kulli shay'in Qadir (there is no true god except Allah. He is One and He has no partner with Him. His is the sovereignty and His is the praise, and He is Omnipotent), will have all his sins pardoned even if they may be as large as the foam on the surface of the sea." [Musnad Ahmad 8478].

In another narration: "His past sins shall be forgiven even if they may be as large as the foam on the surface of the sea."

Dear reader, these are some examples of the matters which happen five times a day to Muslims with every Salah they offer, so their sins are forgiven no matter how large they are even if they are as many as the foam of the sea. So, dear brother, be keen to the causes of forgiveness, so do not leave them perhaps Allah forgives your sins and conceals your defects, for He is the Guardian and the All-Able.

Peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.

Salat-ul-Tasabih (Prayer of glorification):

There were many Hadith reported in its virtue but most of them are weak. However some scholars have beautified some of the ways of these Hadiths, including: "If your sins were as much as the sand of `Alij, Allah shall forgive them for you." [Ibn Majah (1386) and Al Albany graded it as authentic].