Repentance
Repentance requires a strong will, particularly after becoming accustomed to committing sins and transgressions. The whisperings of the devil also play a significant role, as they push individuals away from seeking repentance, which might expose them to shame among bad companions. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) illustrated this matter by stating: “The trials are presented to the hearts in the manner of a mat, row by row. Any heart that absorbs them will have a black spot inscribed on it, while any heart that rejects them will have a white spot inscribed on it. Until the heart becomes as white as a stone, it will not be harmed by any trial as long as the heavens and the earth exist. The other heart will be blackened and tarnished, resembling a used pot that fails to recognize good or reject evil except for what it has absorbed from its desires.” Thus, a person in sin faces two possible states: either they embrace these sins until they become habitual, resulting in a black spot on their heart with each transgression, or they turn away from sin, leading to a white spot symbolizing God’s satisfaction. The Prophet (peace be upon him) described the heart involved in sin as like an overturned cup that holds no benefit and serves no purpose.
True repentance materializes through acknowledgment of one’s sins. This concept is reiterated numerous times in the Holy Qur’an, as acknowledgment is a pathway to mercy and the forgiveness of sins. The repentant individual is not only aware of their misdeeds but also feels remorse and seeks God’s forgiveness and mercy, knowing with certainty that the power rests in God’s hands and that He is capable of forgiving sins and accepting the repentance of His servants. Al-Izz bin Abd al-Salam stated: “Acknowledging sins is a sign of submission to the All-Knowing, and it results in His mercy and kindness, leading to the forgiveness of sins and covering flaws.” Among the strongest forms of acknowledgment and apology is the act of turning away from sin, regretting one’s actions, and resolving not to return to them.
The Impact of Sins on a Servant in This Life and the Hereafter
It is decreed by God that every son of Adam is prone to error, and the best of those who err are those who hasten to repent. Sins and transgressions may lead to the loss of blessings and can result in numerous forms of punishment, categorized as either legal or fated punishments. Such consequences may affect the heart, the body, or both, and some may manifest after death or on the Day of Judgment. It is impossible to allow sins to pass without accountability, despite common misconceptions. The Prophet (peace be upon him) remarked, “A man may be deprived of sustenance due to a sin he commits. Only supplication can alter divine fate, and righteousness is what prolongs life.” Some manifestations of these damages include:
- The deprivation of the light of knowledge, which is considered one of the immediate blessings bestowed upon the servants of God in this world. Committing sins leads to spiritual darkness. When Imam Malik admired the intelligence of his student Imam Al-Shafi’i (may Allah have mercy on them), he advised him: “I see that Allah has granted your heart light, so do not extinguish it with the darkness of sin.”
- The feeling of loneliness in the heart, which begins to create distance between the servant and his Lord before negatively impacting their relationships with others, leading them to feel estranged even from those closest to them. They find no benefit in the company of the righteous but desire to be in the company of wrongdoers, resulting in a bitter life. The further they drift from God, the more this loneliness and darkness intensify, whereas nearness to God fosters spiritual companionship.
- A lack of divine guidance in one’s life, accompanied by a sense of difficulty. The sinner perceives that opportunities are closed to him, unlike the pious who find relief and solutions to their troubles.
- Weakness in the body, since a believer experiences vitality in their heart that radiates throughout their being. Conversely, while a sinner may appear physically strong, they are spiritually frail in times of need.
- Deprivation of sustenance; just as abundance in provisions is linked to piety, distancing oneself from divine obedience leads to poverty. This disobedience manifests through sins, neglect of duties, and abandonment of obligations.
- Loss of blessings in one’s lifetime, as engaging in sins leads to wasted days. True life is valued by the moments spent in obedience to God and worshipping Him.
- Being barred from performing acts of obedience; acts of worship are granted by God’s guidance, and when an individual chooses the path of sin, their inclination towards good deeds fades. For instance, it is narrated that a man approached Al-Hasan Al-Basri complaining of his inability to pray at night, to which Al-Basri responded, “Your sins have shackled you.” Likewise, Sulaiman Al-Darani (may Allah have mercy on him) stated, “No one misses congregational prayer except due to a sin.”
- A sense of humiliation within oneself; true dignity lies in obeying God while resisting one’s desires. Sulaiman Al-Taimi remarked, “A man may commit a sin in secret and awaken to find disgrace upon him.”
- Being looked down upon by God and people; anyone despised by Allah has no honor in any circumstance. Allah removes dignity from sinners while bestowing it upon the obedient. Abu Al-Dardaa (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “A servant may commit a sin in secret, but Allah places His wrath upon him in the hearts of the believers unbeknownst to him.”
- Losing insight and the absence of fervor. A sinner starts to find vice appealing and virtue distasteful, not content with committing sins but also calling others to them and beautifying their wrongdoings.
- The loss of blessings, for just as divine obedience attracts blessings, sins prevent their arrival.
- The absence of shame; the sinner becomes indifferent to others witnessing their misdeeds, openly committing sins without fear of God or embarrassment in front of His servants.
- Becoming accustomed to sins and transgressions; some sinners even take pride in sinning, failing to recognize the ugliness of their actions and feeling distressed at the thought of abandoning them.
- Heartfelt negligence; the accumulation of sins leads to the corruption of the heart. Al-Hasan (may Allah have mercy on him) stated, “It is sin upon sin until the heart becomes blind,” causing one to feel as though their heart is sealed and bound by the devil.
- Attractions of calamity; Ibn Al-Qayyim stated, “Among the consequences of sins upon the earth are the calamities of earthquakes, the destruction of blessings, and many afflictions that Allah sends as a result of the misdeeds of His servants.” The end results of committing sins are dire in this life and the next; if a sinner delays repentance in this world, they live a life of hardship and torment in the hereafter.
Remedies for Sins and Transgressions
Individuals need to address their sins, whether they are minor or major. Sins can be likened to tangible ailments that one must be vigilant against, avoiding their causes and not succumbing to them. Just as physical ailments left untreated can weaken and destroy the body, failing to treat the sickness of sins can ruin the soul. The well-being of the soul far surpasses that of the body, due to the consequences it entails on the Day of Judgment when a servant approaches God sincerely and repentant. The pursuit of acts of obedience is the path towards God’s forgiveness—a route appointed by Him that leads to acceptance and satisfaction. One should not conflate sinfulness with desperation for God’s mercy. The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught, “Whenever a servant commits a sin, performs ablution correctly, then prays two units of prayer, and seeks forgiveness for that sin, they will be forgiven.”