Acknowledge your Sins

The Power of Forgiveness in Islam

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:

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 Ali 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:

وَمَن يَعْمَلْ سُوءًا أَوْ يَظْلِمْ نَفْسَهُ ثُمَّ يَسْتَغْفِرِ اللَّهَ يَجِدِ اللَّهَ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا 

“And whoever does a wrong or wrongs himself but then seeks forgiveness of Allah will find Allah Forgiving and Merciful.” (Surah An-Nisa 4:110)

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.

Here are some important benefits of forgiveness in Islam:

  1. Forgiveness really matters as steadfast determination
  2. Forgiveness removes the burden of sins
  3. Forgiveness is crucial for the Hereafter
  4. Forgiving is one of Allah SWT’s quality
  5. Forgiveness with lightening the heart
  6. Forgiveness means Allah SWT’s love
  7. Forgiveness guarantee of Jannah
  8. Forgiveness is good behaviour
  9. Forgiveness brings peace
  10. Forgiveness is proof of faith
  11. Allah SWT values forgiveness
  12. Allah SWT forgive those who forgive
  13. We must keep needing God’s forgiveness
  14. Be around people who are devoted to Allah
  15. Seek for Allah’s forgiveness with an easy heart
  16. Allah is a forgiver and humans should follow suit
  17. Gain forgiveness from anyone affected by your sin
  18. Forgiveness is a liberating feeling that comes from God
  19. Allah would not judge anyone until they ask for forgiveness

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. People do sins because they have diverged too far from Allah’s guidance. 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.  Allah says:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَغْفِرُ أَن يُشْرَكَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَن يَشَاءُ وَمَن يُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ فَقَدِ افْتَرَىٰ إِثْمًا عَظِيمًا

“Indeed, Allah (does) not forgive that partners be associated with Him, but He forgives other than that for whom He wills. And whoever associates partners with Allah, then surely he has fabricated a sin – tremendous.” (Surah an-Nisa 4:48)

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. Every people committing sins, you don’t have to think low about yourself. Allah loves those who acknowledge their mistakes. Be sincere and ask for forgiveness from Allah sincerely, not because people told you to. Allah says:

وَقُل رَّبِّ اغْفِرْ وَارْحَمْ وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ الرَّاحِمِينَ

And say, “My Lord! Forgive and have mercy, and You (are the) Best (of) those who show.” (Surah Al-Muminun 23:118)

There are a lot of people whom we see are better than us religiously, and we tend to seek their advice about the sin we committed. Upon discovering your sin, there will be many people who will guide you to seek Allah forgiveness with good intention. But never repent just because many people told you to. It wouldn’t have any effect unless it comes from your deepest heart.

In the Holy Quran, Allah Almighty says:

  • “Indeed, Allah loves those who repent and purify themselves.” (Al Baqarah: 22)
  • “and ask forgiveness of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (Al-Baqara: 199)
  • “And seek forgiveness of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (Quran 73: 20)
  • “And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous.” (Al Imran: 133)
  • “He is the One that accepts repentance from His servants and forgives sins: and He knows all that you do.” (Quran 25)
  • “… Truly, Allah loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves.” (Quran, 2:222)
  • They said, ‘Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if you do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.” (Al-Aaraf: 23)
  • “And perform Salah, at the two ends of the day and in some hours of the night.” (Hud verse 114)
  • “Make allowances for people, command what is right, and turn away from the ignorant.” (Quran, 7: 199)

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. Allah says:

وَأَنِ اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ ثُمَّ تُوبُوا إِلَيْهِ يُمَتِّعْكُم مَّتَاعًا حَسَنًا إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى وَيُؤْتِ كُلَّ ذِي فَضْلٍ فَضْلَهُ وَإِن تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنِّي أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ كَبِيرٍ 

“Seek forgiveness of your Lord and repent to Him, [and] He Will Let you enjoy a good provision}.” (Surah Hud 11:1-3)

Seeking forgiveness from another human is more difficult than seeking forgiveness from Allah of 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:

إِن تُبْدُوا خَيْرًا أَوْ تُخْفُوهُ أَوْ تَعْفُوا عَن سُوءٍ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَفُوًّا قَدِيرًا 

“Whether you reveal a good act or keep it hidden, or pardon an evil act, Allah is Ever-Pardoning, All-Powerful.” (Quran, 4: 149)

Sometimes people think that doing bad deeds bring more good in their life than doing good ones. You may find yourself struggling after tawba, but have faith that tawba will lead you to a better life. Tawba has many benefits to your life such as paving your way to success, pleasing Allah and helping you gain your conscience again. Allah is merciful and forgiving His servant’s sins even when it’s as many as the foam in the sea. 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)

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. Upon seeking forgiveness from Allah, you can’t let your heart doubt whether you will be forgiven or not. Allah says:

قَالَ رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَلِأَخِي وَأَدْخِلْنَا فِي رَحْمَتِكَ وَأَنتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ 

“MLord, forgive me and my brother and admit us into Your mercy, for You are the most merciful of the merciful.” (Surah Al-Aaraf, 7:151)

Seeking Allah’s forgiveness can be done not only when you are performing Salah and the dua after that. Use Allah’s name as dhikr all the time. Allah has many names, and the ones suitable for seeking forgiveness are Al-‘Afuww, Al-Ghafoor, and Al-Ghaffar. Focus on doing good deeds since it can erase bad deeds. Allah says:

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

“That is so. And if anyone inflicts an injury the same as the one done to him and then is again oppressed, Allah will come to his aid. Allah is All-Pardoning, Ever-Forgiving.” (Surah Surah Al-Haj)

The best way to seek forgiveness from Allah is by fulfilling your duty to Him. Pray with the most sincerity and consistently. Emphasize this opportunity by asking for his forgiveness over and over again during your prayer after Salah, as if Allah has not forgiven you. Not that you doubt Him, but to prove that you are repenting. May Allah give us the strength to forgive others and also ask forgiveness from them.