2022-06-10 09:01:04
Ponder: What is the purpose of your repentance?
One might say: “I sought Allaah’s forgiveness, but neither did I receive what was promised in the Qur’aan and nor do I think that Allaah forgave me!”
It could be that his repentance was not sincere, and his repenting is in need of repentance. He might have to seek repentance for the way he is repenting!
Seeking forgiveness is not merely by the movement of the tongue. Rather, one should stop sinning, remove the factors that cause him to sin, and leave the path that leads towards sins. This is the condition of sincere repentance.
For example: one has an inappropriate pic or video in his smartphone. So, the first step towards sincere repentance is that he deletes it, does not go back to it, does not share it with others, and seeks Allaah’s forgiveness and does good deeds.
As Allaah تعالى said:
وَإِنِّي لَغَفَّارٌ لِّمَن تَابَ وَآمَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا ثُمَّ اهْتَدَىٰ
{But indeed, I am the Perpetual Forgiver of whoever repents and believes and does righteousness and then continues in guidance.}
[Surah Taha (20): 82]
Allaah تعالى mentioned the following as a sign of sincere repentance:
Turning to Him in repentance by leaving evil deeds and acts of disobedience.
Believing in Allaah that He alone deserves worship.
And increasing in doing good deeds.
Does Allaah stop it at here?! No, rather, He تعالى adds to it:
And continues in guidance – meaning: he remains constant in doing good deeds till his death.
Remember, and be assured that if Allaah guides you towards seeking forgiveness, then He تعالى will indeed forgive you, repel the harm, remove the hardship, provide you with a way out of difficulties, and provide you with what He has promised.
If you are sick, then seek Allaah’s forgiveness continuously!
If you are in debt, then seek Allaah’s forgiveness continuously!
The One who has made seeking forgiveness and obligation upon you, has also promised that He will remove your hardships.
You want riches, then seek Allaah’s forgiveness!
You’re seeking wellbeing (al-`Aafiyah), then seek Allaah’s forgiveness!
You’re depressed and want to get rid of depression, then seek Allaah’s forgiveness!
You’re hurt and sadness has engulfed your heart, then seek Allaah’s forgiveness!
Your chest feels constricted and you want to get rid of that feeling, then seek Allaah’s forgiveness!
You want your children to be righteous, then seek Allaah’s forgiveness!
Seek forgiveness, such that your heart follows your tongue, and not by merely moving your tongue only. What is on your tongue should be in your heart as well.
Some people say: Astaghfirullaah! Astaghfirullaah! But their intention is not to seek Allaah’s forgiveness. They heard the Aayah:
فَقُلْتُ اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهُ كَانَ غَفَّارًا * يُرْسِلِ السَّمَاءَ عَلَيْكُم مِّدْرَارًا * وَيُمْدِدْكُم بِأَمْوَالٍ وَبَنِينَ وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ جَنَّاتٍ وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ أَنْهَارًا
{And (Nooh عليه السلام) said: “Seek forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is ever a Perpetual Forgiver. He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in [continuing] showers, and give you increase in wealth and children and provide for you gardens and provide for you rivers.}
[Surah Nooh (71): 10-12]
So, one might do Istighfaar so that he gets married. The other does Istighfaar so that he becomes successful, or to get rich, or to pass in the exams.
Indeed, Allaah will provide for the one who seeks forgiveness with all that He has promised, but with a condition, that his intention should be to repent and to seek Allaah’s forgiveness for the sins that he had committed. When one seeks forgiveness for his sins, then as the fruits of his repentance, Allaah تعالى will provide for him all that He has promised in those Aayaat, and with much more.
Don’t seek forgiveness with the intention that you are seeking marriage!
Don’t seek forgiveness with the intention that you want to get rich!
Seek forgiveness for your sins first and Allaah will definitely provide for you with all that.
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