Forgiveness in Islam

Forgiveness in Islam  

Forgiveness is really important in Islam. By constantly turning to Allah for forgiveness of our sins, we learn humility. Since we are weak human beings, we are guilty of sinning. Allah tells His creation to repent so that they may be forgiven:
وَاسْتَغْفِرِ اللَّهَ ۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ غَفُورًا رَحِيمًا
“And seek the forgiveness of Allah. Certainly, Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Surah Nisaa 4:106)
وَمَنْ يَعْمَلْ سُوءًا أَوْ يَظْلِمْ نَفْسَهُ ثُمَّ يَسْتَغْفِرِ اللَّهَ يَجِدِ اللَّهَ غَفُورًا رَحِيمًا
“And whoever does evil or wrongs himself but afterwards seeks Allah’s forgiveness, he will find Allah Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Surah Nisaa 4:110)

Asking forgiveness for others is also important. In Islam there is a strong emphasis on being united and caring for one another. We should want to pray for ourselves and others in the hope that Allah listens to the prayers of all people. We would like to be forgiven, so we should pray that Allah forgives the sins of others.
Forgiveness is forgiving those who have hurt or wronged ourselves. As we would like Allah to show forgiveness to us, so we should try to do the same to others:
The recompense for an evil is an evil like thereof; but whoever forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is with Allah. Allah says:

وَجَزَاءُ سَيِّئَةٍ سَيِّئَةٌ مِثْلُهَا ۖ فَمَنْ عَفَا وَأَصْلَحَ فَأَجْرُهُ عَلَى اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الظَّالِمِينَ

“The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree): but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah. for ((Allah)) loveth not those who do wrong.” (Surah Ash-Shura 42:40)
وَلَمَنْ صَبَرَ وَغَفَرَ إِنَّ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ لَمِنْ عَزْمِ الْأُمُورِ

“But indeed if any show patience and forgive, that would truly be an exercise of courageous will and resolution in the conduct of affairs.”(Surah Ash-Shura 42:43)

So here we are told that although it is acceptable to do what others have done to us, it is better in the sight of Allah to show forgiveness. The reward for this is great, since it is a difficult thing to do. However, by doing so, this demonstrates the strength of a person’s character and belief that in the end, Allah will do what is right. It therefore also highlights patience, another highly desirable characteristic in a Muslim.
Whenever the Messenger of Allah (SAW) finished his Salaat (prayer), he would beg forgiveness three times by saying, “Astaghfirullah” (3 times) and then he would say: ” Allahumma Antas-Salamu , wa minkas-Salamu, tabarakta ya Dhal-Jalali wal-Ikram. (O Allah! You are the Bestower of security and security comes from You; Blessed are You. O Possessor of glory and honour).(Muslim)
This hadith shows that if the Prophet (SAW) could ask for forgiveness, then we certainly as ordinary humans have more need to ask forgiveness. This Dua (prayer) is a Sunnah (practice if the Prophet (SAW)), it is therefore recommended that Muslims should also repeat this prayer after each Salaat.
Anas (RA) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (SAW) saying, “Allah, the Exalted, has said: `O son of Adam! I shall go on forgiving you so long as you pray to Me and aspire for My forgiveness whatever may be your sins. O son of Adam! I do not care even if your sins should pile up to the sky and should you beg pardon of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam! If you come to Me with an earthful of sins and meet Me, not associating anything with Me in worship, I will certainly grant you as much pardon as will fill the earth.”’ (Tirmidhi)
Asking for forgiveness yet persisting in the sin means the act of turning to Allah for forgiveness becomes meaningless. Genuine remorse and the intention to not repeat the sin again is the way in which one will be truly forgiven. The important thing to note from this Hadith is the idea that one must never think that he/she is not worthy of forgiveness. No matter what the sin is, as long as we seek Allah’s forgiveness, He will forgive us. All Allah asks is that we turn to Him before it is too late, before death comes. Once our last breath leaves our body, the doors to forgiveness close.