… Continued

Luqmaan said to his son, commanding him to seek forgiveness frequently, "Make your tongue accustomed to seeking forgiveness as there are hours when Allah The Almighty does not let down a supplicating person." Furthermore, Al-Hasan said, "Seek forgiveness frequently in your houses, at your tables, in your roads, markets, gatherings and wherever you go for you do not know when forgiveness is granted." In addition, Qataadah said, "The Quran guides you to your illness and your cure. Your illness is sins and your cure is seeking forgiveness." The accursed Shaytaan (Satan) said, "I destroyed people with sins, and they destroyed me with saying 'Laa ilaaha illa Allah (I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah)’ and seeking forgiveness."

One of the most important things with which one should end his life and deeds is seeking forgiveness. That is what Allah The Exalted instructed His Prophet to do at the end of his life: {Then exalt [Him] with praise of your Lord and ask forgiveness of Him. Indeed, He is ever Accepting of repentance.} [Quran 110:3] The Prophet obeyed the command of his Lord as it was narrated on the authority of ‘Aa’ishah that he did not perform a prayer after the revelation of the verse (which means): {When the Victory of Allah has come and the conquest.} except that he said therein: "Glory and praise be to Allah. O Allah, Forgive me." Fulfilling the meaning of (this verse of) the Quran and acting upon it. [Al-Bukhari]

The best action with which lives, deeds and meritorious times may be concluded is seeking forgiveness. That is why the Prophet used to conclude his prayers with seeking forgiveness. When he concluded his prayers, he used to ask for forgiveness three times.

From among the qualities of those who pray at night is seeking forgiveness: {and those who seek forgiveness before dawn.} [Quran 3:17] Allah The Almighty also mentioned the characteristics of the people of Paradise so He Says (what means): {they used to sleep but little of the night, and in the hours before dawn they would ask forgiveness.} [Quran 51:17-18]

Allah The Almighty instructs those who perform Hajj (pilgrimage) to seek forgiveness after departure from ‘Arafaat as He Says (what means): {Then depart from the place from where [all] the people depart and ask forgiveness of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.} [Quran 2:199] Besides, Allah The Almighty instructs many other deeds which should be concluded with seeking forgiveness such as the expiation of assembly, finishing ablution and other such acts.

After the Muslim has witnessed the month of fasting and Qiyaam (voluntary night prayer), he draws nearer to Allah The Almighty through more voluntary acts of worship. Yet, he knows that no matter how great his deeds are, he is still negligent in fulfilling the right of his Lord The Almighty because he did not perform his deeds with perfection – they are stained with deficiency, forgetfulness, heedlessness, error and mistakes sometimes. This is why one should repent and seek forgiveness a lot and conclude the month with this action. "Fasting is a shield from Hell unless breached, evil words breach this shield and seeking forgiveness restores what is breached." ‘Umar ibn ‘Abdul-‘Azeez wrote to different regions asking them to conclude Ramadan with seeking forgiveness and charity (the Fitr charity) as the charity of Fitr purifies the fasting people from idle talk and obscene language and seeking forgiveness restores what was breached from fasting by idle talk and obscene language.

‘Umar ibn ‘Abdul-‘Azeez wrote,

“Say what your father Aadam 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."} [Quran 7:23] Say what Nooh said: {And unless You forgive me and have mercy upon me, I will be among the losers."} [Quran 11:47] Say what Moosa said: {"My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, so Forgive me."} [Quran 28:16] Say what Thun-Noon (Yoonus) said: {"There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers."} [Quran 21:87]”

We should commit ourselves to seeking forgiveness at night and day as it eliminates sins and misdeeds, brings mercy and sustenance and it is a means of being granted wealth and children, gardens and rivers. All our actions, and eventually, our lives should be concluded with it.

Blessed Be the Seekers of Forgiveness - I