By Asma bint Shameem
Mistakes and shortcomings are part of our human nature and no one is exempt from this.
In fact it’s EXPECTED that we will sin.
But it’s ALSO expected of the BEST of us that we should seek forgiveness from our Rabb for our mistakes and shortcomings.
And turn to Him with repentance.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
“By He in whose hand is my soul, if you did not sin, Allaah would wipe you out and bring into existence people who *did* sin, then ask Allaah for forgiveness – and He would forgive them.” (Muslim)
And he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
“All the sons of Adam are sinners and the BEST among the sinners are those who REPENT.” (Ahmad and others- Hasan by al-Albaani)
It is out of the infinite Mercy of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala that He provides us ways and means to have our sins forgiven and gives us the chance to rectify our mistakes.
Making Istighfaar is one of them.
In fact, making Istighfaar brings a most generous reward from the Most Generous, the Most Forgiving, the Most Loving, even though we’ve sinned against Him.
So what are some of the benefits of Istighfaar?
1. It wipes away our sins and brings Allaah’s Mercy and Forgiveness.
Allaah says:
“And whoever does evil or wrongs himself but afterwards seeks Allah’s forgiveness, he will find Allah Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
(Surah an-Nisaa:110)
2. Istighfaar is the means to success in this life and the next.
Allaah says:
"And turn to Allaah in repentance, all of you, O believers, so that you might succeed." (Surah an-Noor: 31)
3. A lot of sincere Istighfaar prevents calamities and tribulations.
Allaah says:
"And Allaah would not punish them while they seek forgiveness."
(Surah al-Anfaal: 33).
4. Making much Istighfaar also takes away our problems and distress, saves us from awkward situations and brings us provision from places we never expected.
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
"Whoever makes Istighfaar frequently, Allaah will provide a way for him out of every distress and provide for him from sources he could never expect." (Ahmad- saheeh by Shaakir)
5. Lots of Istighfaar is one of the ways that Allaah blesses people with children, wealth, rain and provision.
A man once came to al-Hasan al-Basri and complained to him:
“The sky does not shower us with rain.”
He replied: “Seek Allaah’s forgiveness (Say 'Astaghfirullaah')
Then another person came to him and said, “I complain of poverty.”
He replied: “Seek Allaah’s forgiveness"
Then another person came to him and complained, “My wife is barren; she cannot bear children.”
He replied: “Seek Allaah’s forgiveness."
The people who were present, said to al-Hasan:
“Every time a person came to you complaining, you instructed them to seek Allah’s forgiveness?”
Al-Hasan al-Basri said,
“Have you not read the statement of Allaah when He said:
"Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Truly He is Oft-Forgiving. He will send rain to you in abundance; increase you in wealth and children; grant you gardens and bestow on you rivers."
(Surah Nuh:10-12]
6. Istighfaar brings Allaah’s guidance and increases Imaan.
Ibn Taymiyyah said:
“Whoever sees (from himself) that his chest is not expanding and he is not obtaining any sweetness of Emaan and the light of guidance then let (him) increase in repentance and Istighfaar (seeking Allah’s Forgiveness).” (al-Fataawaa al-Kubraa 5/62)
And he said:
The testification of Tawheed opens the door to goodness and Istighfaar (seeking forgiveness) from sins closes the door to evil.
[Fatawa 11/256]
7. Istighfaar brings us closer to Allaah.
Imam al-Shafi’i said:
“I complained to Waki’ regarding my poor memory
So he guided me to abandon all sins.
And he said to me ‘The Knowledge of Allaah is a Light.
And the Light of Allaah is not given to a sinner.”
And there are lots more benefits Alhamdulillaah.
So make lots of Istighfaar ALWAYS.
Don’t let any chance go by without doing Istighfaar.
Make it a DAILY habit.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
“By Allaah, I seek forgiveness from Allaah and I repent to him more than seventy times in a day.”
(al-Bukhaari)
Think about this for a second.
Why would the one who’s past and future sins were forgiven make Istighfaar more than 70 times a day?
If he made Istighfaar more than 70 times a day, what about me and you?
May Allaah forgive us and enable us to turn to Him with true and sincere repentance.
Ameen.
No comments:
Post a Comment