Seeking Forgivenes

Seeking Forgivenes

Allah Almighty frequently mentions and addresses the topic of seeking forgiveness in the Qur’an; He says:

وَاسْتَغْفِرُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ

 “…And ask forgiveness of Allaah. Indeed, Allah is the forgiving and Merciful.” (Al-Baqarah:2:199)

وَأَنْ اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ ثُمَّ تُوبُوا إِلَيْهِ

 “And seek forgiveness of your Lord and repent to Him…” (Surah Hood: 11:3)

وَمَنْ يَعْمَلْ سُوءًا أَوْ يَظْلِمْ نَفْسَهُ ثُمَّ يَسْتَغْفِرِ اللَّهَ يَجِدِ اللَّهَ غَفُورًا رَحِيمًا

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

1) Those most knowledgeable of Allah are the most fervent in seeking His forgiveness:

Al-Agharr Al-Muzani (RA) said: “The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Sometimes I sense a veil over my heart; I therefore supplicate to Allaah for forgiveness a hundred times a day.” (Muslim)

Abu Hurairah (RA) said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (SAW) saying: “I swear by Allah that I seek Allah’s pardon and turn to Him in repentance more than seventy times a day.”” (Al-Bukhari)

Ibn ‘Umar (RA) said: “We used to count the Messenger of Allah (SAW) saying one-hundred times in a single sitting: “O my Lord! Forgive me and accept my repentance. Indeed, You are the One who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful.”” (Abu Dawud)

Imaam Ibn Taimiyyah said: “Seeking forgiveness is usually the result of the slave doing something disliked, or performing a deed in an incomplete manner; it is (therefore) a means to ascend from a low rank to a higher one. Quite often it is mentioned in connection with repentance, and in such a case, seeking forgiveness is the action of the tongue while repentance is the physical aspect by which one refrains from the sin with his limbs and heart. Otherwise, forgiveness results from the mere seeking of forgiveness. Anas bin Malik, may Allaah be pleased with him, said: ‘I heard the Messenger of Allah (SAW) saying: “Allaah says, ‘O son of Aadam! As long as you call unto Me and seek (forgiveness) from Me, I will forgive you for all of the sins that you may commit, and I do not care (how many they amount to). O son of Aadam! If you come to Me with what is almost as much as the earth (in volume) in sins, but you meet Me without having associated any partner with Me in worship, I will give you the same amount of forgiveness.” (Tirmidhi)

2) Seeking forgiveness is the advice of the Prophets and Messengers:

Allah informs us that Prophet Noah (AS) said to his people:

استغفروا ربكم إنه كان غفاراً

“Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is ever a Perpetual Forgiver.” (Surah Noah: 71:10)

Prophet Salih (AS) said to his people:

لولا تستغفرون الله لعلكم ترحمون

“…’Why do you not seek forgiveness of Allah that you may receive mercy?’” (An-Naml:27: 46)

Prophet Shu’ayb (AS) said to his people:

واستغفروا ربكم ثم توبوا إليه إن ربي رحيم ودود

“’And ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him. Indeed, my Lord is Merciful and Affectionate.’” (Surah Hood:11: 90)

3) The disliked way of seeking forgiveness:

There are certain ways of seeking forgiveness that are disliked or even prohibited. Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “You must not supplicate (by saying, for example): `O Allah! Forgive me if You wish! O Allah bestow mercy upon me if You wish!` Rather, beg Allah with certitude and assurance, for no one has the power to compel Allah. A supplication should be made with full confidence, and one should persistently express his desire (before Allaah) in his supplication, for no bounty is too great for Allah to bestow (upon His slaves).” (Al-Bukhari & Muslim)

Imaam Ibn ‘Abdul-Barr, stated in his commentary of this narration: “It is not permissible for someone to say (for example): `O Allah! Grant me such and such if You wish` from worldly matters or those of the Hereafter. This is because Allah does as He pleases. The clear wording of the narration entails that it is forbidden to use such a form. On the other hand, Imaam An-Nawawi, may Allah have mercy upon him, understood such an action to be disliked only, which is a more appropriate way of understanding the narration than those who ruled it to be forbidden.”

4) The forbidden way of seeking forgiveness:

This is when one seeks forgiveness for the disbelievers and polytheists. Allaah emphatically forbids this when he says:

مَا كَانَ لِلنَّبِيِّ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَنْ يَسْتَغْفِرُوا لِلْمُشْرِكِينَ وَلَوْ كَانُوا أُوْلِي قُرْبَى مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُمْ أَصْحَابُ الْجَحِيمِ

“It is not for the Prophet and those who have believed to ask forgiveness for the polytheists, even if they were relatives, after it has become clear to them that they are companions of Hellfire.” (At-Tawbah: 9:113)

Imaam Ibn Taimiyyah said: “Seeking forgiveness for the disbelievers is forbidden in the Qur’an, the Sunnah and by the consensus of the Muslim scholars”                                                                                   

5) The fruits of seeking forgiveness:

There are many fruits of seeking forgiveness, knowledge of which would assist one in never abandoning it. The following are some of them:

Abdullaah bin Busr reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Glad tidings are for he who finds in his record of deeds much seeking of forgiveness.” (Ibn Majah)

Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “A man’s rank will be made to ascend in Paradise; he will therefore inquire: `How did I gain this?` It would be said to him: `This is due to your son seeking forgiveness for you.’” (Ibn Majah)

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Let he who would like to rejoice when receiving his record of deeds supplicate much for forgiveness.”

Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “A black dot will be placed in the heart of any slave who commits a sin; but if he stops, seeks forgiveness and repents, and then his heart will be cleansed.” (Ibn Majah)

Abdullaah bin `Umar (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “O women folk! You should give charity and be diligent in seeking Allah’s forgiveness because I have seen (on the Night of the Ascension to the highest heavens) that the dwellers of the Hell are mostly women.” (Ibn Majah)

Ibn Mas’ood (RA) said: “The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “He who says: “Astaghfirullaah-illadhi laa ilaaha illaa Huwal-Hayyul-Qayyoomu, wa atoobu ilayhi’ (i.e., ‘I seek the forgiveness of Allaah, there is no true deity except Allah, the Ever-Living, the Self-Subsisting, and I turn to Him in repentance’), his sins will be forgiven, even if he had fled from the battlefield (while fighting for the Cause of Allah).”” (Abu Dawud, At-Tirmithi)

6) How our Salaf sought forgiveness:

Abdullaah bin `Umar (RA) would pray the optional night prayers, then he would ask: “Is it Sahar (i.e., the time that immediately precedes dawn) yet?” If he was answered in the affirmative, he would increase in supplicating and seeking forgiveness until dawn arrived.

Haatib (RA) said: “I heard a man who was sitting in a corner of the mosque saying at the time of Sahar: `O my Lord! You have commanded me and I have obeyed You, and this is the time of Sahar, so forgive me.` When I looked to see who he was, I found that it was Ibn Mas’ood, may Allaah be pleased with him.”

Anas (RA) said: “We were commanded that whenever we finished praying the optional night prayers, we should seek forgiveness, at the end of the time of Sahar, seventy times.”

Malik bin Deenaar would say: “The pious would advise and remind each other with three things: to imprison their tongues, to seek forgiveness, and to not excessively mix with people.”

Qatada (RA) said: “The Qur’an will lead you to both your disease and your cure. As for your disease, it is your sins, and as for your cure, it is seeking forgiveness. Therefore, if you are worried about your sins, then seek forgiveness for them abundantly.”

Humbleness The Muslim Creed

Humbleness The Muslim Creed

Humbleness is the opposite of arrogance, and is an attitude and behavior that Allah and His Messenger (SAW) have commanded us to have. It is also a great tool used to spread Islam to others.
The best way to achieve humbleness in the heart is contained in the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (SAW) who prescribed many methods to teach his companions how to be humble. We ask Allah to help us all become humble and stay firm on that path. Following are some of the methods and ways of achieving humbleness:

1) Extending As-Salam (saying As-Salamu Alaykum, peace be unto you).
Abdullah ibn ‘Ameer said that a man asked the Messenger of Allah (SAW), “Which part of Islam is the best?” He said, “To feed the food (to the poor), and to extend As Salam to those whom you know and whom you do not know.” (Al-Bukhari & Muslim)
Therefore, extending As-Salam to the old, young, rich, poor, noble, common folk, stranger and relative, will open one’s heart to achieve humbleness and will shut the door closed for arrogance and tyranny.
2) Muslims should hate that people stand up for them when they pass by them or enter their homes or businesses.
Mu’awiyah bin Abi Sufyan once entered a house where Abdullah ibn Az-Zubair and Abdullah ibn ‘Ameer were sitting. Abdullah ibn ‘Ameer stood up while Ibn Az-Zubair did not. Mu’awiyah said, “O ibn ‘Ameer! Sit down, for I heard the Messenger of Allah  (SAW) say, ‘Let those who like for people to stand up for them take their seats in the Fire.’” (Tirmithi)
This Hadith prohibits the Muslim to like that people stand up for him when he meets with or passes by them. Furthermore, this Hadith teaches Muslims to enjoin righteousness and forbid evil, for Mu’awiyah criticized Abdullah ibn ‘Ameer for standing up for him.

3) Sitting wherever one finds space.
Jabir bin Samurah said, “When we used to come to the Prophet (SAW) we would sit wherever we find space.” Also, Ibn Umar narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said, what translated means, “One of you must not remove a man from his place and sit in it. However, (those already sitting should) make space and spread up (leaving adequate space for newcomers).” (Al-Bukhari & Muslim)
Also, Ibn Umar (RA) used to avoid the place which a man vacated to make space for him. Therefore, one should sit wherever he finds space, whether in the center of the audience or not. Also, those who accept it that first-comer have the right to the best seats, because all Muslims whether rich or poor are equal, will achieve humbleness in their hearts and deed, Allah willing.
4) Prohibiting the Muslim from claiming purity for himself. Allah said:

الَّذِينَ يَجْتَنِبُونَ كَبَائِرَ الْإِثْمِ وَالْفَوَاحِشَ إِلَّا اللَّمَمَ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ وَاسِعُ الْمَغْفِرَةِ ۚ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِكُمْ إِذْ أَنْشَأَكُمْ مِنَ الْأَرْضِ وَإِذْ أَنْتُمْ أَجِنَّةٌ فِي بُطُونِ أُمَّهَاتِكُمْ ۖ فَلَا تُزَكُّوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ ۖ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنِ اتَّقَىٰ

 “Those who avoid great sins and shameful deeds, only (falling into) small faults,- verily thy Lord is ample in forgiveness. He knows you well when He brings you out of the earth, and when ye are hidden in your mothers’ wombs. Therefore justify not yourselves: He knows best who it is that guards against evil…” (Surah Najm 53:32)
Mohammad ibn ‘Amr ibn Ataa’ said that he named his daughter Barrah (the righteous one). However, Zainab bint Abi Salamah said that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) prohibited using this name when she was called “Barrah.” He said, “Do not ascribe purity to yourselves. Allah knows the righteous ones among you.” The companions asked, “What should we call her?” He said, “Zainab.” (Muslim)
5)Prohibiting praising people in their presence.
Abu Musa said, “The Prophet (SAW) heard a man praising another man and saying good words about him while he was present with them. He said, ‘You have destroyed ­or broke the back of the man!’”(Al- Bukhari & Muslim)
Abdur- Ra’hman bin Abi Bakrah said that a man was once mentioned in the presence of the Messenger of Allah (SAW). Another man said good words of praise about him. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) then said, what translated means, “Woe unto you! You have beheaded your friend. If one of you has to praise, let him say, ‘I think this and that’ (about the praised man), if he thinks that he deserves it, ‘And his reckoning is with Allah,’ and let him not ascribe purity (to anyone).” (Al-Bukhari & Muslim)
Ibrahim At-Taymi said that his father said, “We were sitting in the presence of Umar (RA) when a man praised another man to his face. Umar (RA) said, ‘You ‘Aqartahu (crippled him), may Allah do the same to you.’” Furthermore, Abu Ma’mar said that a man stood up and praised one of the leaders, then Al-Miqdad started throwing sand in his face, and saying, “The Messenger of Allah (SAW) ordered us to throw sand in the faces of the praisers.” (Muslim, At-Tirmithi, Abu Dawud & ibn Majah)
From these Hadith’s and stories, we conclude that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) prohibited praising others, especially while they can hear their praise. This is because such praise may encourage the praised persons to overestimate themselves, especially if they were people of position or wealth. Also, such praise may lead the praised person to be arrogant, which may lead to laziness and a lower number of good deeds, for one will depend on what he heard of praise and ignore acquiring more good deeds.

6) Shortening the length of the clothes.

Ibn Juray bin Sulaiym said that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, what translated means, “Lower your dress to half the leg. If you do not prefer that, then to the ankles. However, do not increase the length of the dress (lower than the ankles), for it is arrogance, and Allah does not like arrogance.” (Abu Dawud, At-Tirmithi)
In this Hadith, the Messenger of Allah (SAW) considered extending the length of the dress to cover the ankles an act of arrogance and pride, even if those who do this claim otherwise.

Abu Hurairah (RA) said that the Prophet (SAW) said, what translated means, “Whatever is below the ankles will be in the Fire.” (Al-Bukhari)

Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said, “On the Day of Resurrection, Allah will not look at he who used to drag his dress behind him (because it is too long below the ankles) out of arrogance.” (Al-Bukhari & Muslim)

These Hadith’s above state that wearing long dresses which cover the ankles is a type of arrogance, or at least leads to such behavior. Therefore, shortening the length of the dress is a type of humbleness and leads to such behavior, Allah willing. These are some of the ways with which one can attain the characteristic of humbleness, Allah willing. We ask Allah that He help us attain this attribute, He is the All-Hearer, The One Who can answer the supplication.