forgiveness

Gham-e-Madinah · 27 اکتوبر 2008

Assalamu 'Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

ASALATU WASALAMU ALAYKA YA RASULLALLAH Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam

Part of our being human is that we make mistakes, no body is perfect. Sometime we make mistakes without deliberation and intention. But sometime we deliberately sin and do wrong to others. It is said, “to err is human and to forgive is divine.” Both parts of this statement are very true. As human beings we are responsible, but we do also make mistakes and we are constantly in need of forgiveness.

Islam states two aspects of forgiveness:

a) Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala’s forgiveness;

Human forgiveness.

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala’s Forgiveness:

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala is the most Forgiving. There are many names of Allah given in the Qur’an. Some of which are related to His mercy and forgiveness.

We must turn to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala to seek His forgiveness.

Sayings of Prophet Mohammad Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam that emphasises the mercy and forgiveness of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala. In one of the prayers that the Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam taught, he Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam said:

“O Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala, You are most Forgiving One, You love to forgive, so forgive me.” (Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah).

Thus we all need Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala’s mercy and forgiveness all the time.

Human Forgiveness in Islam:

Just as it is important to believe in the mercy and forgiveness of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala, it is also necessary to base all human relations on forgiveness. How should we expect Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala’s forgiveness while we do not forgive those who do wrong to us?! Forgiving each other, even forgiving one’s enemies is one of the most important Islamic teaching.

In one Hadith Prophet Mohammad Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam said that Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala has commanded him with nine things. One of them he mentioned was “that I forgive those who do wrong to me.”

The Prophet Muhammad Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam was the most forgiving person. He Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam was ever ready to forgive his enemies.

Thus must not forget that as much as we need Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala’s forgiveness for our sins and mistakes, we must forgive those who do wrong to us.

May we act upon this and forgive others and ask forgiveness from Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala ameen.

Wa'alaykum 'Assalam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu