Sacred Hadith Encouraging Seeking Forgiveness
In Sahih Muslim, it is reported from Abu Dharr Al-Ghafari (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) narrated from Allah, blessed and exalted, as follows: “O My servants, I have prohibited injustice for Myself and made it forbidden among you; do not wrong one another. O My servants, all of you are misguided except whom I guide; seek guidance from Me, and I will guide you. O My servants, all of you are hungry except whom I feed; seek sustenance from Me, and I will provide for you. O My servants, all of you are naked except whom I clothe; seek clothing from Me, and I will dress you. O My servants, you sin by day and by night, and I forgive all sins; seek My forgiveness, and I shall forgive you.”
This lengthy sacred hadith encompasses a multitude of divine commands articulated in a most eloquent manner. Allah, the Most High, makes it clear that He does not commit injustice, being free from such actions, and has forbidden it among His servants. He also indicates that without His guidance, they are destined to stray, urging them to seek His guidance and act accordingly.
Similarly, regarding hunger and nakedness, it is emphasized that individuals cannot nourish or cover themselves without Allah’s provision. Therefore, they must ask their bountiful Lord for these necessities. Furthermore, Allah reminds His servants of the numerous sins humans commit at all times, asserting that He is the One who forgives and erases sins through repentance and seeking forgiveness, which is why He emphasizes the importance of seeking His forgiveness.
Sacred Hadith Warning Against Neglecting Forgiveness
According to Ma’kil bin Yasar (may Allah be pleased with him), the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Your Lord says: O son of Adam, devote yourself to My worship, and I will fill your heart with richness and your hands with provision. O son of Adam, if you distance yourself from Me, I will fill your heart with poverty and your hands with toil.”
This hadith highlights the dangers of becoming preoccupied with worldly matters at the expense of worship and warns against such distractions. Allah, the Most High, informs His servants that if they dedicate their hearts to worshiping Him—through seeking forgiveness, remembrance, and other acts of devotion—He will enrich their hearts, making them free from needing anything but Him. Conversely, neglecting Him results in hearts filled with a desire for others, leading to unproductive pursuits that do not yield true benefit.
Sacred Hadith on the Virtue of Constantly Seeking Forgiveness
Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “If a servant commits a sin—perhaps he said he has sinned—then he says: ‘O my Lord, I have sinned; forgive me,’ his Lord replies: ‘Does My servant not know that he has a Lord who forgives sins and takes account for them? I have forgiven My servant.’ Then he remains sinless for as long as Allah wills, but then he commits another sin and says: ‘O my Lord, I have committed another sin; forgive me.’ His Lord replies: ‘Does My servant not know that he has a Lord who forgives sins and takes account for them? I have forgiven My servant.’ This continues, and he can do so up to three times; Allah then instructs: ‘Let him act as he wishes.’
This hadith illustrates the vast mercy of Allah and His immense capacity for forgiveness, highlighting the significance of consistently seeking forgiveness. Allah (the Exalted) forgives all sins of His servants as long as they repeatedly seek His pardon and engage in sincere repentance, even if they fall into the same sins multiple times—provided these sins do not infringe upon the rights of others, which must be redressed in conjunction with seeking forgiveness.
Sacred Hadith on the Greatness of Allah’s Forgiveness
From Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him), it is quoted that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Allah, the Exalted, says: O son of Adam, as long as you call upon Me and hope for My mercy, I will forgive you for whatever you have done without concern. O son of Adam, if your sins reach the clouds of the sky and you then ask for My forgiveness, I will grant it without hesitation. O son of Adam, if you were to bring sin equal to the entire earth, and then come to Me without associating anything with Me, I would come to you with an equal measure of forgiveness.”
This hadith emphasizes Allah’s open door for repentance to sinners, regardless of the magnitude or number of their transgressions. Allah’s mercy is so expansive that even if a person’s sins were to fill the space between the heavens and the earth, upon sincere repentance and seeking forgiveness from Him, Allah (the Exalted) will forgive them, and the enormity of their sins will not hinder His mercy.