THE ACT OF SEEKING FORGIVENESS By Qudroh Shonubi

 

Amongst the perfect names of Allaah, the Majestic and Most High, are Al-‘Afuww (He who pardons), Al-Ghofuur (He who forgives), and Al-Ghoffaar (the Oft-Forgiving). Seeking forgiveness is the act of seeking protection from the evil results of one's sins and for them to be concealed. Seeking forgiveness has been mentioned many times in the Quran. Allaah the Sublime says: "And ask forgiveness from Allaah. Indeed, Allaah is forgiving and merciful”. [Al-Baqarah, Q2:199].

Similarly, it was narrated by Abu Hurairah, as reported by al-Bukhariy, that the Prophet (PBUH) said: "By the One in whose Hand is my soul, I certainly ask forgiveness of Allaah and repent to him more than seventy times each day." This, the Prophet (PBUH), was such that Allaah had forgiven his earlier and later sins, yet he still used to ask Allaah’s forgiveness more than seventy times each day. In another narration, it was reported that the prophet used to ask Allaah’s forgiveness and repent to Him a hundred times each day. Thus, he (PBUH) would continuously ask for forgiveness and gave it great importance. This only portrays the importance of seeking forgiveness for our actions and inactions. 

Thus, what does seeking repentance actually imply? Repentance (at-tawbah) is nothing but turning away from what displeases Allaah and doing what He has commanded us to do. It further entails leaving disbelief to become a believer and refraining from getting into the trap of major as well as minor sins. On this note, it is deemed mandatory for every faithful Muslim to seek the forgiveness of the Most High. The command to always seek forgiveness is contained in a quite number of verses of the Glorious Qur-aan, among which is verse 8 of At-tahriim (Q66 vs. 8), where the Sublime says: "Oh you who believe! Repent to Allaah with sincere repentance."

However, before repentance could be valid, Islaam lays down some guidelines as precedents for a true and sincere repentance. Before analysing these conditions, it is pertinent to state here that seeking forgiveness could be in either of two circumstances: (a) seeking forgiveness over disobedience to Allaah or (b) seeking forgiveness over a wrong done to someone.

Seeking forgiveness for acts of disobedience to Allaah such as taking interest or usury (riba), telling lies, etc., there are three conditions to fulfil. They are:

(a) Refraining from such an act of disobedience. That is, one must stop doing such an act. 

(b) Having sincere regret for doing such an act of disobedience; and,

(c) Having a sincere resolution not to ever go back to that which he had repented from. However, to achieve this Thurs condition, one needs to increase in goodness and be in the company of the righteous, as Allaah says in Q9 v. 119 (at-Tawbah). 

As for seeking forgiveness for a wrong done to someone, such as secretly taking property belonging to someone else, spreading falsehoods about someone, there are four conditions to be fulfilled. He is required to fulfil the earlier-mentioned conditions and, in addition, perfect what is between him and the person he wronged. This could be returning the stolen property, seeking the pardon of the person he had slandered or spread falsehood about, etc.

The above conditions have to be fulfilled. Otherwise, there is no valid repentance in the sight of Allaah. Knowing fully about one's misconduct, regretting over it, and... … are the keys to having one's misdeeds be pardoned, forgiven, and overlooked. Allaah says in Toohaa (Q 20: 82): "Indeed, I am forgiving to the one who repents, truly believes, does righteous and correct deeds, and then remains constant upon right guidance."

Turning to the significance of seeking repentance (tawbah), repentance is the only action that will cause all sins to be forgiven. It is reported that "repentance erases what came before it." It wipes away the previous sins. Also, Allaah forgives the sins of the repentant even if they are as many as the foam of the ocean. As Allaah has said: "Say, O My servants, who have transgressed greatly against themselves through sins! Do not despair of the mercy of Allaah. Indeed, Allaah forgives all sins to those who repent. Indeed, He is the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful". See  Q 39 : 53, Az-Zumar.

In conclusion, the condition for obtaining forgiveness is to sincerely ask for it, even if the sins were very grave and were as numerous as the clouds in the sky or as far as the eye can see. So, it is better to seek forgiveness before the certainty (death) finally approaches, as Allaah said: "Repentance is not [accepted] of those who [continue to] do evil deeds up until, when death comes to one of them..." (Q4 v 18).

And finally, on what to say when seeking forgiveness, Shaddaad ibn Aws narrated from the Prophet (PBUH) that the prophet said, "The noblest and most excellent manner of seeking forgiveness is that the servant says: O Allaah, You are my Lord. None has the right to be worshipped except You. You created me, and I am Your slave/worshipper. And I am faithful to my covenant and my promise as far as I am able. I seek Your refuge from the evil of what I have done; I acknowledge before You".

As-salaamu `Alaykum Warohmatullaahi Wabarokaatuh

Authored By: 

               Qudrah Shonubi