A human being is the source of mistake and sin. We are humans and are prone to sin, we are not perfect and make mistakes and sin daily, but sincerely asking for Allah’s forgiveness makes us from those who Allah loves. We need to remember both, because if we don’t forgive we do wrong in our relationship with Allah as well as in our relationships with each other. Allah says:

قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِن رَّحْمَةِ اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ

“O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.” (Surah Az-Zumar, 39:53)

Seeking forgiveness means to request Allah The Almighty to not just pardon one’s sins, but to protect one from their evil and to conceal them. In other words, it is a servant’s plea to Allah The Almighty to not expose him or her in this life or the Hereafter, and to ward off the punishment that he or she deserves, by His grace and mercy.  A Muslim is to think better of Allah. No denying the fact that Allah is Mighty, Just and Wrathful, however, at the same time He is Merciful and forgiving. Allah says:

قُل لِّلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا يَغْفِرُوا لِلَّذِينَ لَا يَرْجُونَ أَيَّامَ اللَّهِ لِيَجْزِيَ قَوْمًا بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ

“Say to those who believe that they should forgive those who expect not the days of Allah, as it is for Him to recompense people for what they have earned.” (Surat Al-Jathiyah 45:14)

Forgiving others is crucial for our success in the Hereafter; one forgives to seek forgiveness. But forgiving others also brings lots of physical and spiritual benefits in this world. To inspire us to fight our ego and try to forgive with our hearts and not only with our lips. All sins are forgivable and the door to forgiveness is wide open almost until the Day of Judgement is upon us.

Here is some importance of forgiveness in Islam:

1. Forgiveness doesn’t mean you  have more feelings 
2. Forgiveness doesn’t mean you forget the incident 
3. Forgiveness toward those who do wrong to us
4. Forgiveness is basically to help you move on
5. Forgive people to gain Allah’s forgiveness
6. Forgiveness removes the burden of sins
7. Forgiving is one of Allah SWT’s quality
8. Forgiveness with lightening the heart
9. Forgiveness means Allah SWT’s love
10. Forgiveness brings  peace of mind
11. Forgiving means not wishing evil
12. Forgiveness is good behaviour
13. Forgiveness is an honour
14. Forgiveness brings peace
15. Forgiveness is proof of faith
16. Forgiveness to heal the wounds
17. Forgiveness brings strong health 
18. Forgiveness guarantee of Jannah
19. Forgiveness brings joy reassurance 
20. Forgiveness to restore good relations
21. Forgiveness is crucial for the Hereafter
22. Forgiveness is different from condoning
23. Forgiveness saved from Fitnah and afflictions
24. Forgiveness matters as steadfast determination
25. Forgiveness as an honour to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

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. A Muslim is to think better of Allah. No denying the fact that Allah is Mighty, Just and Wrathful, however, at the same time He is Merciful and forgiving. Allah says:

ذَٰلِكَ وَمَنْ عَاقَبَ بِمِثْلِ مَا عُوقِبَ بِهِ ثُمَّ بُغِيَ عَلَيْهِ لَيَنصُرَنَّهُ اللَّهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَعَفُوٌّ غَفُورٌ

That, and whoever has retaliated, with the like (of) that he was made to suffer by it, then he was oppressed [on him], Allah will surely help him. Indeed, Allah (is) surely Oft-Pardoning, Oft-Forgiving.” (Surah Al-Haj 22:60)

Seeking forgiveness from Allah can’t be done only by one or two prayers, but continuously and endlessly. It could be long and tiring, but you don’t have any other hope than Allah’s mercy. Every people committing sins, you don’t have to think low about yourself. Allah loves those who acknowledge their mistakes.

There are so many benefits of asking forgiveness from Allah Almighty some of them are given below:

• Forgiveness from Almighty Allah brings joy reassurance and peace of mind. Allah Almighty says in the Quran: {And [saying], “Seek forgiveness of your Lord and repent to Him, [and] He Will Let you enjoy a good provision}.” (Quran 11: 3)
• Forgiveness from Lord Results in a healthy and strong body free of diseases and disabilities.
• Forgiveness saved from Fitnah and afflictions.
• If someone wants righteous kids, lawful money and expanded sustenance then he/she should ask forgiveness from Almighty Allah.
• Want to increase rewards and sins to be forgiven ask forgiveness from Almighty Allah. The Almighty Allah says: “And say, ‘Relieve us of our burdens.’ We will [then] forgive your sins for you, and We will increase the doers of good [in goodness and reward].” (Quran 2: 58)
• In Holy Quran, Allah Almighty says: “Kind Speech and Forgiveness are better than Charity “A kind and courteous word and forgiveness are (much) better than the charity that is followed by (such an emotional) abuse. Allah is free of all wants and the Most Forbearing.” (Quran, 2:263)

Seeking forgiveness from another human is more difficult than seeking forgiveness from Allah the best way to seek forgiveness from Allah is by performing the Salah Tawba. Do it sincerely until you are sure that you will never do it again. Repent in the prayer and beg for Allah’s forgiveness. He surely forgives His servants. Allah says:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَغْفِرُ أَن يُشْرَكَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَن يَشَاءُ وَمَن يُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلَالًا بَعِيدًا

“Indeed, Allah does not forgive that partners be associated with Him, but He forgives [what] other than that for whom He wills. And whoever associates partners with Allah then surely he lost (the) way, straying far away.” (Surah an-Nisa 4:116 )

Seeking forgiveness from Allah with repentance is a virtue. 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. This life is a test, Allah is going to test us through other people too. May Allah give us the strength to forgive others and also ask forgiveness from them! Ameen