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. Seeking forgiveness means to request Allah to not just pardon one’s sins, but to protect one from their evil and to conceal them. 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)

Allah indeed forgives those who repent their sins. But it doesn’t mean you can repeat the same sins and ask for forgiveness again. 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. 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)

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. Muslims have to earn forgiveness from Allah for the sins they committed.

Here is some importance of forgiveness in Islam:

1. Forgiveness doesn’t mean you  have more feelings
2. Forgiveness repair the situation in the right  way
3. Forgiveness matters as steadfast determination
4. Forgiveness saved from Fitnah and afflictions
5. Forgive people to gain Allah’s forgiveness
6. Forgiveness is different from condoning 
7. Forgiving is one of Allah SWT’s quality
8. Forgiveness with lightening the heart
9. Forgiveness brings joy reassurance 
10. Forgiveness brings strong health 
11. Forgiveness is good behaviour
12. Forgiveness is an honour
13. Forgiveness brings peace
14. Forgiveness is proof of faith
15. Forgiveness brings  peace of mind
16. Forgiveness brings joy reassurance
17. Forgiveness means Allah SWT’s love
18. Forgive is  to deserve mercy upon us
19. Forgiveness to restore good relations
20. Forgiveness removes the burden of sins
21. Forgive is to lessen our stress and worry
22. Forgiveness is basically to help you move on
23. Forgive as Allah will reward us without a limit
24. Forgiveness helps us to see good qualities in all

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. 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:

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 reward him and we know Allah’s rewards are best from 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.” (Surah An-Nur 24:22)

Forgiveness involves relinquishing our right to harbour resentment toward our offender:

• Forgiveness in Islam: There are two kinds of forgiveness in Islam: Allah’s forgiveness and human forgiveness. We as human beings need both since we make mistakes in our relations to Allah as well as our relations to each other.
• In the Holy Quran “forgiveness”: Throughout the Holy Qur’an, the Mercy of Allah and His Forgiveness has been mentioned a great many times. There is mercy even for those who commit immorality and adultery.
• Allah is merciful and forgiving: Allah is merciful and forgiving His servant’s sins even when it’s as many as the foam in the sea. 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.
• Seeking forgiveness from Allah: Seeking forgiveness from Allah with repentance is a virtue. Human beings are not perfect. Forgiveness is one quality that Allah wished His servants to possess.
• Way to seek forgiveness: The best way to seek forgiveness from Allah is by fulfilling your duty to Him. Pray with the most sincerity and consistently do the five obligatory Salah every day.

خُذِالْعَفْوَوَأْمُرْبِالْعُرْفِوَأَعْرِضْعَنِالْجَاهِلِينَ

“Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant.” (Surah Al-A’raf 7:199)

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. Reflect deeply on your sins and think again about why you did the sin and how the sins affected your life and everyone around you.

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)

Allah is all-forgiving and pardoning we should seek forgiveness from Him and try to forgive others too. We all know that Allah is the Most Merciful and He forgives those who ask forgiveness with repentance. We all know that Allah is the Most Merciful and He forgives those who ask forgiveness with repentance. Allah says:

وَجَزَٰٓؤُا۟ سَيِّئَةٍ سَيِّئَةٌ مِّثْلُهَا ۖ فَمَنْ عَفَا وَأَصْلَحَ فَأَجْرُهُۥ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ

“But [remember that an attempt at] requiting evil may, too, become an evil: hence, whoever pardons [his foe] and makes peace, his reward rests with God – for, verily, He does not love evildoers.” (Surah Ash-Shura 42:40)

The Power of Forgiveness in Islam not only lies in seeking the great Mercy and Forgiveness of Allah Almighty, but it also lies in being forgiving to each other as well. May we be blessed with forgiveness, live a full life and continue to do good deeds that would help us in the Hereafter. 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.” (Surah Ash-Shura 42:5)

Forgiveness is really important because one forgives to earn forgiveness from Allah. Other than that, by forgiving we are suppressing our ego and feeding our hearts 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 إِنِّي ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي فَغَفَرَ لَهُ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ

He said, “My Lord! Indeed, I [I] have wronged my soul, so forgive [for] me.” Then He forgave [for] him. Indeed He, He (is) the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:16)

Forgiveness is one quality that Allah wished His servants to possess. Every Muslim give their faith in Allah and worship Him until the end of the world. Allah is all-forgiving and pardoning we should seek forgiveness from Him and try to forgive others too. May Allah give us the strength to forgive others and also ask forgiveness from them! Ameen