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 forgive others from the heart then Allah will give him a reward and we know Allah’s rewards are best of all. Forgiveness is one quality that Allah wished His servants to possess. 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)
There are two kinds of forgiveness in Islam: Allah’s forgiveness and human forgiveness. We as human beings are in need of both since we make mistakes in our relations to Allah as well as our relations to each other. In Islam, all that is needed is to recognize the mistake or sin, improve it and seek forgiveness from Allah and also from other human beings. Allah is all-forgiving and pardoning we should seek forgiveness from Him and try to forgive others too. Allah says:
قُللِّلَّذِينَآمَنُوايَغْفِرُوالِلَّذِينَلَايَرْجُونَأَيَّامَاللَّهِلِيَجْزِيَقَوْمًابِمَاكَانُوايَكْسِبُونَ
“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)
Throughout the Holy Qur’an, the Mercy of Allah and His Forgiveness has been mentioned a great many times. Imagine the sins we commit in our daily lives, yet the Mercy of Allah is such that He would continuously provide Forgiveness. There is mercy even for those who commit immorality and adultery.
Forgiveness is to regret one’s wrongdoing and ask God we have wronged to overlook:
- Forgiveness as an honour to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
- Forgiveness increases in wealth, children and pleasure
- Forgiveness really matters as steadfast determination
- Forgiveness gives dignity (Grace) from Almighty Allah
- Forgiveness makes you happier and healthier
- Forgiveness saved from Fitnah and afflictions
- Forgiveness is one of the Allah SWT’s quality
- Forgiveness reassurance and peace of mind
- Forgiveness free of diseases and disabilities
- Forgiveness gives joy and Rizq to the Prayer
- Forgiveness is a ticket to Heaven (Paradise)
- Forgiveness from Almighty Allah brings joy
- Forgiveness removes the burden of sins
- Forgiveness is crucial for the Hereafter
- Forgiveness with lightening the heart
- Forgiveness means Allah SWT’s love
- Forgiveness is an encouraging act
- Forgiveness avoid to Punishment
- Forgiveness is good behaviour
- Forgiveness brings peace
- Forgiveness is proof of faith
- Allah SWT values forgiveness
- Allah SWT forgive those who forgive
- Always ask forgiveness from Almighty Allah
- Allah is a forgiver and humans should follow suit
- Allah also forgives us our sins through the difficulties
- Allah mercy is so complete that He forgives us our sins
- Allah sees the sincere repentance from one of the believers
- Allah would not judge anyone until they ask for forgiveness
- Allah has made it easy for us to seek and obtain His forgiveness
وَلَمَنصَبَرَوَغَفَرَإِنَّذَٰلِكَلَمِنْعَزْمِالْأُمُورِ
“Whoever is patient and forgives, verily, that is among the matters of steadfast determination.” (Surah Ash-Shura 42:43)
In the Holy Quran “forgiveness” and “mercy “are mentioned around 100 and 200 times respectively. An entire chapter of the Quran is devoted to the quality of mercy that is (Surah Rahman). We all know that Allah is the Most Merciful and He forgives those who ask forgiveness with repentance. Allah says:
الَّذِينَيُنفِقُونَفِيالسَّرَّاءِوَالضَّرَّاءِوَالْكَاظِمِينَالْغَيْظَوَالْعَافِينَعَنِالنَّاسِۗوَاللَّهُيُحِبُّالْمُحْسِنِينَ
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 Ali Imran 3:134)
In Quran, the word “Allah is Most Merciful” is repeated many times. In religion Islam, anyone who has committed sin can ask forgiveness directly from the Lord, there is no one between Allah and the one who is asking forgiveness from Him. Muslims have to earn forgiveness from Allah for the sins they committed. But Allah forgiveness only comes when a Muslim is forgiving their brother.
Benefits of Asking God’s Forgiveness:
- Forgiveness of Sins: Ask forgiveness from your Lord; for He is Oft-Forgiving. (71:10)
- It is a Reason for the Rain to Fall: He will send rain to you in abundance. (71: 11)
- Increase in Wealth: And give you an increase in wealth and children. (71: 12)
- Prosperity and Success: He Who created Death and Life, that He may try which of you is best in deed: and He is the Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving;- (Surah Al-Mulk, 2)
- Increased Strength: O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord, then turn unto Him repentant; He will cause the sky to rain abundance on you and will add unto you strength to your strength. (11: 52)
- A Good Life: Ask forgiveness of your Lord and turn to Him repentant. He will cause you to enjoy a fair estate until a time appointed. (11: 3)
- Relief from Hardships; Allah will not punish them while they are asking His forgiveness. (8: 33)
- Allah’s Mercy: Beseech Allah’s forgiveness, that perchance you will be shown mercy. (27: 46)
- It Placates our Fears and Worries: O our father! ask for us forgiveness for our sins, for we were truly at fault. (Surah Yusuf, 97)
- Ask Allah’s forgiveness frequently: As for those who fear their Lord unseen, for them is Forgiveness and a great Reward. (Surah Al-Mulk, 12)
وَالْمَلَائِكَةُيُسَبِّحُونَبِحَمْدِرَبِّهِمْوَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَلِمَنفِيالْأَرْضِۗأَلَاإِنَّاللَّهَهُوَالْغَفُورُالرَّحِيمُ
“The angels glorify and praise their Lord and seek forgiveness for those on the earth. Verily, Allah is the Forgiving, the Merciful.” (Surah Ash-Shura 42:5)
All of the sins that humans committed during their life in the world should be accounted for on the Day of Judgement. But Allah Almighty is merciful and gives the chance to a human being to repent for their sins as long as they are still alive, with the guarantee of forgiveness from Allah. Allah says:
خُذِالْعَفْوَوَأْمُرْبِالْعُرْفِوَأَعْرِضْعَنِالْجَاهِلِينَ
“Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant.”(Surah Al-A’raf 7:199)
If someone did wrongs to another human being, the act must first be redressed with the wronged person or human being who should be asked for forgiveness before asking forgiveness from Allah. Every Muslim give their faith in Allah and worship Him until the end of the world. The benefit of forgiveness in close relationships depends on how the perpetrator responds to forgiveness.
Forgiveness in the Holy Quran Allah Almighty says:
- “Except for those that repent (Even) after that, and make amends; for verily Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Surah Al-Imran, 89)
- “. . . And let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (Quran 24:22)
- “The reward of the evil is the evil thereof, but whosoever forgives and makes amends, his reward is upon God.” (Quran, 42:40)
- “Our Lord! we have indeed believed: forgive us, then, our sins, and save us from the agony of the Fire;” (Surah Al-Imran, 16)
- “Seek forgiveness of your Lord and repent to Him, [and] He Will Let you enjoy a good provision.” (Quran 11: 3)
- ” … Pardon them therefore and ask pardon for them, and take counsel with them in the affair…” (Quran 3:159)
- “Our Lord! Grant us forgiveness and mercy! You are the Best of those who show mercy..” (Quran 23:118)
Faith cannot be shown only by words, but through action as well. One of the importance of forgiveness in Islam is because it comes from taqwa (piety), a quality only possessed by the Allah-fearing people. Allah says:
وَلْيَعْفُواوَلْيَصْفَحُواۗأَلَاتُحِبُّونَأَنيَغْفِرَاللَّهُلَكُمْۗوَاللَّهُغَفُورٌرَّحِيمٌ
“Let them pardon and overlook. Would you not love for Allah to forgive you? Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (Surah An-Nur 24:22)
Forgiveness is really important because one forgive to earn forgiveness from Allah. Other than that, by forgiving we are suppressing our ego and feeding our heart with good things. We may not feel the benefits much when we lived, but once we have reached the door to Paradise. Allah says:
قَالَ رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَهَبْ لِي مُلْكًا لَّا يَنبَغِي لِأَحَدٍ مِّن بَعْدِي إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ
He said, “O my Lord! Forgive me and grant me a kingdom, not (will) belong to anyone after me. Indeed, You [You] (are) the Bestower.” (Surah Sad 38:35)
Those are the importance of forgiveness in Islam. May we be blessed with forgiveness, live a full life and continue to do good deeds that would help us in the Hereafter. Many studies have shown that people who forgive are happier and healthier than those who do not. Holding on to grudges can harm your health by acting as a chronic stressor. May Allah give us the strength to forgive others and also ask forgiveness from them! Ameen
