Allah SWT created us and He knows what is best for us. This is something we often seem to forget. Allah knows it can be very hard to really forgive someone who hurt you and in this ayah, we are given the greatest motivation to push ourselves to forgive; it’s Allah’s forgiveness. When we think of forgiveness we mostly think of Allah’s forgiveness and we forget how important it is that we also forgive. 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)
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:
الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ فِي السَّرَّاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ وَالْكَاظِمِينَ الْغَيْظَ وَالْعَافِينَ عَنِ النَّاسِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ
“The believers are those who spend in charity during ease and hardship and who restrain their anger and pardon the people, for Allah loves the doers of good.” (Surah Al Imran 3:134)
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 in the Hereafter, and to ward off the punishment that he or she deserves, by His grace and mercy. 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.” (Surah 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 really try to forgive with our hearts and not only with our lips. 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.
Forgiveness is for our own growth and happiness, here is some importance of forgiveness in Islam:
- Forgiveness really matters as steadfast determination
- Forgiveness doesn’t mean you have more feelings
- Forgiveness doesn’t mean you forget the incident
- Forgiveness gives those you’ve wronged space
- Forgiveness keeps needing God’s forgiveness
- Forgiveness toward those who do wrong to us
- Forgive people to gain Allah’s forgiveness
- Forgiveness removes the burden of sins
- Forgiving is one of Allah SWT’s quality
- Forgiveness with lightening the heart
- Forgiveness brings peace of mind
- Forgiveness is a good behaviour
- Forgiveness is proof of faith
- Forgiveness to heal the wounds
- Forgiveness guarantee of Jannah
- Forgiving means not wishing evil
- Forgiveness means Allah SWT’s love
- Forgiveness to restore good relations
- Forgiveness is different from condoning
- Forgiveness is basically to help you move on
- Forgiveness saved from Fitnah and afflictions
- Forgiveness doesn’t mean having more workout
- Forgiveness helps us to cultivate a united society
- Forgiveness evolute towards becoming a better person
- Forgiveness as an honour to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
Islam teaches human beings to be forgiving and if someone sincerely asks for forgiveness, the wronged person should forgive him. If we expect forgiveness from Almighty Allah then we also have the ability to forgive others. We all know that Allah is the Most Merciful and He forgives those who ask forgiveness with repentance. If we forgive others then Allah will forgive us, so try to be kind and forgiving so that we can get kindness, love, and forgiveness from Allah. Allah says:
فَقُلْتُ اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهُ كَانَ غَفَّارًا
“And said, ‘Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is ever a Perpetual Forgiver.” (Surah Nuh, 71:10)
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. Whoever forgives others from the heart then Allah Almighty will give him a reward and we know Allah’s rewards are best of all. Allah says:
وَلْيَعْفُوا وَلْيَصْفَحُوا ۗ أَلَا تُحِبُّونَ أَن يَغْفِرَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
“Let them pardon and overlook. Would you not love for Allah to forgive you? Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (Surat An-Nur 24:22)
Forgiving yourself is an important part of being a Happy Muslim. We have all made mistakes in life. If Allah is willing to forgive us, then we should be willing to forgive ourselves too. Be sincere and ask for forgiveness from Allah sincerely, not because people told you to. It wouldn’t have any effect unless it comes from your deepest heart. This life is a test, Allah is going to test us through other people too.
Verses of the Qur’an about forgiveness Allah Almighty says:
- “O, Believers! Turn to God with sincere repentance.” (Quran 66:8)
- “He is the Acceptor of Repentance, Compassionate.” (Quran 9:104)
- “Saying, ‘Ask forgiveness from your Lord; for He is Oft-Forgiving.” (Surah Nuh, 10)
- “Indeed, Allah loves those who repent and purify themselves.” (Surah Al Baqarah: 22)
- “…And seek God’s forgiveness! Truly God is much-forgiving and Merciful.” (Quran 2:199)
- “Not so do those who show patience and constancy, and work righteousness; for them is forgiveness (of sins) and a great reward.” (Surah Hud, 11)
- That He may reward those who believe and work deeds of righteousness: for such is Forgiveness and a Sustenance Most Generous.” (Surah Saba, 4)
- “And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous.” (Surah Al Imran: 133)
- “Whoso does evil or oppresses his own self and thereafter seeks God’s forgiveness shall find God most Forgiving, Merciful.” (Quran 4:110)
- “Seek forgiveness of your Lord and repent to Him, [and] He Will Let you enjoy a good provision.” (Quran, 11: 3)
- “O our father! ask for us forgiveness for our sins, for we were truly at fault.” (Surah Yusuf, 97)
- “But seek the forgiveness of Allah. for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. (Surah An-Nisa, 106)
Allah indeed forgives those who repent their sins. But it doesn’t mean you can repeat the same sins and ask for forgiveness again. Upon seeking forgiveness from Allah, make sure to yourself that you will never repeat the same mistake no matter what. Allah’s guaranteed forgiveness, but only for those who are sincere and never take the same wrong path again. Recognize anyone who might have been affected by your sins. Allah says:
خُذِ الْعَفْوَ وَأْمُرْ بِالْعُرْفِ وَأَعْرِضْ عَنِ الْجَاهِلِينَ
“Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant.” (Surat Al-Araf 7:199)
The fact that you are still alive and even have the chance to seek His forgiveness happens only under the blessing of Allah. Despite all the sins you have committed and violations of Allah’s faith, He still showered you with many blessings. Ask for His forgiveness because He still loves you even when you have disobeyed. Allah Almighty is all-forgiving and pardoning we should seek forgiveness from Him and try to forgive others too. Allah says:
وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِمَن فِي الْأَرْضِ ۗ أَلَا إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
“The angels glorify and praise their Lord and seek forgiveness for those on the earth. Verily, Allah is the Forgiving, the Merciful.” (Surat Ash-Shura 42:5)
Allah is merciful and forgiving His servant’s sins even when it’s as many as the foam in the sea. The Quran repeatedly tells us to turn to God for forgiveness. We are encouraged to ask God’s forgiveness for ourselves as well as others. Allah accepts our repentance even though He knows we may fall into that same sin again, but by seeking forgiveness sincerely, Allah will constantly forgive. May Allah give us the strength to forgive others and also ask forgiveness from them! Ameen
