Understanding The Prophet's Life
From Issue: 950 [Read full issue]
Great Forgiveness
Forgiveness means that Allah covers one's faults, removes one's sins and does not punish the person in the Hereafter. One of the most important things that a person can ask of Allah - after asking to be guided to the truth - is to ask forgiveness for one's sins and related matters, such as being rescued from the Fire and being entered into Paradise. This is what the Prophet (peace be upon him) himself said that his supplications were all about. [Abu Dawud]
The Messenger of Allah stated in a Hadith, "A slave committed a sin and said, 'O Allah, I have committed a sin, so forgive me.' Allah said, 'My slave knows he has a Cherisher who forgives sins. Therefore, I have forgiven my slave.'" [Bukhari] If every time he commits a sin he feels remorse and turns to Allah to forgive him, without having the intention to continue performing that sin, Allah, the exalted will be willing to forgive him. Such is the great forgiveness of Allah and His pleasure with His servants when they seek His forgiveness.
Compiled From:
"Commentary on the Forty Hadith of an-Nawawi" - Jamaal al-Din Zarabozo, p. 1312