To constantly Repent (Sayings from the Qur’an & Sunnah)

Repentance will open up unexpected relief.

The effect of repentance is beyond what we can ever imagine. if we are wondering if there are any effects, this Hadith encapsulates what the act of Istigfaar (seeking forgiveness from Allah) may lead to:

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “If anyone constantly seeks pardon (from Allah), Allah will appoint for him a way out of every distress and a relief from every anxiety, and will provide sustenance for him from where he expects not.”

If you find difficulty in any affair, seek forgiveness to Allah SWT and be confident that He will provide a way out for your challenges. See how your affairs are eased through sincerely seeking pardon from Allah SWT.

The Prophet SAW’s daily routine.

The Prophet SAW, the best human on this Earth, though free from sins, made it his routine to do Istighfaar (seeking forgiveness from Allah SWT). So what’s stopping us? It was narrated:

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “Sometimes I perceive a veil over my heart, and I supplicate Allah for forgiveness a hundred times in a day.”

(Muslim)

In another narration, it was said: Ibn ‘Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) said:

We counted Messenger’s saying a hundred times during one single sitting: Rabb- ighfir li, wa tubb ‘alayya, innaka Antat-Tawwabur-Rahim. (My Lord! Forgive me and pardon me. Indeed, You are the Oft-Returning with compassion and Ever Merciful.”

(Abu Dawud and At- Tirmidhi).

You will never be perfect, so don’t stop improving.

It has been discussed by many scholars of the reason behind the existence of sins. There is no human being that does not do wrong, and perfection is only an attribute of Allah SWT.

Allah SWT says in Surah An-Nisa’ Verse 17: 

إِنَّمَا التَّوْبَةُ عَلَى اللَّهِ لِلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ السُّوءَ بِجَهَالَةٍ ثُمَّ يَتُوبُونَ مِن قَرِيبٍ فَأُولَٰئِكَ يَتُوبُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا

Meaning: Allah only accepts the repentance of those who commit evil ignorantly or recklessly then repent soon after1—Allah will pardon them. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

In a Hadith, Anas ibn Malik reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “All of the children of Adam are sinners, and the best sinners are those who repent.”

(At-Tirmidzi)

Some of the many reasons behind the existence of sin is:

1. One will know his place as a flawed human being and try his best to be better.
2. One will feel humble in front of Allah SWT and other creations, knowing that he is weak due to his sins.
3. After sinning and regretting his mistakes, he will feel the pleasure of returning back to Allah SWT, even if it were repetitive.

The sin that humbles you is better than a deed that makes you arrogant.

This quote is oft-repeated by many pious predecessors, to give light and hope to sinners. However, this should not be taken to the other extreme, to which committing any sin is taken lightly. Rather, one should remember that a sin has the capability to humble a person, and it is then a must for him or her to work towards moving away from it.

Conversely, deeds should be acts that every striving Muslim should engage diligently in. It must be noted however that a deed should not lead to arrogance and boastfulness, as this in itself would contract the essence of performing good deeds, and in turn lead to another form of sin. This comes with the constant renewal of intentions and humility.

Good news to the sinners

Allah SWT, the All-Forgiving (Al-Ghafur) wants to forgive his servants who sin. We were meant to sin, and Allah will forgive those who turn back to Him. Find comfort in the decree of Allah SWT as mentioned in a narration:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (SAW) having said:

By Him in Whose Hand is my life, if you were not to commit sin, Allah would sweep you out of existence and He would replace (you by) those people who would commit sin and seek forgiveness from Allah, and He would have pardoned them.

(Muslim)