Concept of Forgiveness in Islam- Ways Lead to Forgiveness

Human beings are not perfect they make mistakes or commit sins unintentionally. In religion Islam, all that is needed is to recognize the mistake or sin, improve it and seek forgiveness from Allah Almighty and also from other human beings. Anyone who has committed sin can ask forgiveness directly from the Lord, there is no one between Allah and the one who is asking forgiveness from Him. In the Holy Quran Allah (SWT) says: “Allah loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and He loves those who keep themselves pure” (Quran, 2:222). From this verse, we can conclude that if someone asked forgiveness with repentance then Allah will love him/her and surely, He will forgive but there is one condition and that is one should not commit the previous sin or mistake again.

Muslim must adopt forgiveness and forgive people even if he or she is right in taking revenge. Forgiveness is one of the qualities of Allah Almighty. Forgiveness is a critical aspect of Islam Muslims believe that Allah is Merciful and Forgiving. There are so many Ayahs related to forgiveness in the Quran. In the Holy Quran Allah Almighty says: “. . . And let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful” (Quran 24:22). This Ayah gives us the greatest motivation to push ourselves to forgive.

In another verse of the Holy Quran Allah (SWT) says: “The reward of an evil deed is its equivalent. But whoever pardons and seeks reconciliation, then their reward is with Allah. He certainly does not like the wrongdoers” (Quran, 42:40). From this Ayah, we can say that whoever forgive others from the heart then Allah Almighty will give him a reward and we know Allah’s rewards are best from all.

We can take an example of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) related to forgiveness. Abu Abdullah Al-Khadali reported: I asked Aisha about the character of the Messenger of Allah Prophet (SAW). Aisha said: “The Prophet was not indecent, he was not obscene, he would not shout in the markets, and he would not respond to an evil deed with an evil deed, but rather he would pardon and overlook.” (Tirmidhi)

Ways Lead to Forgiveness

Almighty Allah gives us so many chances to ask forgiveness for previous sins and start afresh. No one is more Kind, Generous and Merciful than Allah (SWT). Almighty Allah is waiting for us to seek forgiveness and get back to Him. Below mentioned are some ways leads to forgiveness.

• Repentance is the first thing that comes in mind when talking about the ways leads to forgiveness. Those sincere moments when you confess your guilt before Allah Almighty and pledge to change are very dear to Allah. Try repentance and rest assured that Allah will never let you down there is always hope. Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran: “O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful. And return [in repentance] to your Lord and submit to Him before the punishment comes upon you; then you will not be helped.” (Quran, 39:53-54)
• Good deeds wipe out previous sins or bad deeds. Abu Dhar (RA) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: Have Taqwa (fear) of Allah wherever you may be, and follow up a bad deed with a good deed and it will wipe it out and behave well towards the people. (Tirmidhi)
• We should never overlook small deeds always try to attain forgiveness of Almighty Allah by doing good deeds no matter how small is it. One should do good every time and be good to everyone. Abu Huraira (RA) narrated that our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “A man never did a good deed but removed a thorny branch from the road; it was either in a tree and he cut and threw it away, or it was lying in it and he removed it. Allah appreciated this deed of his and, therefore, brought him into Paradise.” (Abu Dawood)

May Almighty Allah forgive us all and grant us the willpower to stay away from sins and accept our repentance. Ameen!