Merits and rewards of ‘Tawbah’

Repentance to Allah

‘Tawbah’ refers to asking repentance from Allah for the sins that we commit. Making sincere repentance or Tawbah raises a Muslim’s stature with Allah because the process of making Tawbah involves the following three steps:

1.    Recognizing ones mistakes and sins,

2.    Feeling ashamed of violating Allah’s trust of complete submission to His commands, and

3.    Making a promise never to repeat such behavior.

According to many scholars, if one of these three is missing, then the repentance is not sincere. If the sin has to do with the rights of another person, then the fourth condition is added, which is to restore the rights of that person. For example, if violating of rights involves money or property, etc, it must be returned to him; if it had to do with slandering him etc, then his forgiveness must be asked, and so on.

We know both from Quran and Hadith that Allah gets very pleased when we leave all that is undesirable to Allah, and revert to the straight path. The prophet (s) said in a Hadith:

“Every son of Adam sins, and the best of those who sin are those who repent.”

Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2499; classed as hasan by al-Albaani.

This article reviews some of the merits and blessings of Tawbah.

‘Tawbah’ paves the way for success

By choosing to stay the course prohibited by Allah, we consciously forego Allah’s mercy and the associated benefits and rewards, His protection and help. However, the moment we sincerely repent, we can be assured of Allah’s help in our lives that in turn is a precursor to success in this life and the hereafter.  Allah tells us in the Quran:

“…And beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful. “

Quran (Surah An-Noor, Verse 31)

Repentance, therefore, paves the way for Allah’s Grace in this life and the hereafter. Within this world, Allah promises us of wealth, children, and increased blessings. Consider the following verses from the Quran:

“Seek the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance, that He may grant you good enjoyment, for a term appointed, and bestow His abounding Grace to every owner of grace. But if you turn away, then I fear for you the torment of a Great Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection).”

Quran (Surah Hood, Verse 3)

Allah also tells us in the Quran that Prophet Hood told his people:

“And O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him, He will send you (from the sky) abundant rain, and add strength to your strength, so do not turn away as Mujrimoon (criminals, evil doers, etc)”

Quran (Surah Hood, Verse 52)

Tawbah keeps us away from hardships and trials

We know that our sins can haunt us in this life and the hereafter. The more sins we commit, the more we could be deprived of Allah’s blessings and the more trials and challenges we could be put through. Repentance, therefore, can provide us a way out of our miseries and troubles of this life. Allah tells us in the Quran:

“See they not that they are put in trial once or twice every year (with different kinds of calamities, disease, famine)? Yet, they turn not in repentance, nor do they learn a lesson (from it).”

Quran (Surah At-Taubah, Verse 126)

Tawbah helps clear our conscience

We know that sins are always associated with an accompanying sense of guilt that gets lodged into our hearts. While we can always turn a blind eye to those guilty feelings, we know from experience that such guilt is responsible to slowly chip away at our happiness. Tawbah, on the other hand, by its very nature, removes that guilt and fills our hearts with happiness.

Tawbah pleases Allah

Let’s remind ourselves that turning to Allah in repentance greatly pleases Him because it is o­ne of the most beloved acts of worship to Him. By joining the rank of  those who repent, we also earn Allah’s love. Allah says in the Quran:

“…Truly, Allah loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves”

Quran (Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 222)

In narrating one of the popular hadith, Ibn Masud stated that Allaah’s Messenger (sal allaahu alaiyhi wa sallam) said:

Allah is more pleased with the repentance of his slave than a man who encamps at a place where his life is jeopardized. But he has his riding animal carrying his food and water. He then rests his head and sleeps for a short while and wakes up to find his riding animal missing. He starts looking for it and suffers from severe heat and thirst or what Allah wished him to suffer from. He then says: ‘I will go back to my place.’ He returns and sleeps again. Then when he wakes up, he raises his head to find his riding animal standing besides him. So one can imagine the happiness that this brings to him. (The prophet continued by stating that) Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His slave than the situation of happiness that this person experiences after he was saved from death.’

The scholars have also observed that those who make a sincere Taubah (repentance) also experience such happiness, and it has a profound influence o­n one and the person’s heart.

Tawbah is a life transformational process

Tawbah, by its very nature requires one not just to abandon the old ways of sinful behavior but instead requires us to replace those with righteous deeds. Turning to Allah in repentance, therefore, is a truly transformational process. Allah says in the Quran:

“Except those who repent and do righteous deeds, and openly declare (the truth which they concealed). These, I will accept their repentance. And I am the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful.”

Quran (Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 160)

Tawbah makes our Duas more ‘worthy’ of a response

We know from many of the prophet’s Hadith that Allah is more responsive to the Duas and calls of those who are oppressed, travelers, the ones who ask Allah in a state of prostration, the ones who are fasting, and so on. This is because such states bring out humility and humbleness in a person’s heart and Allah thus responds more to people in such states. Many scholars have thus noted that as repentance and Tawbah also bring forth humility and humbleness in a person’s heart, our Duas are more likely to be heard in such a state.

Sincere Tawbah (repentance) leads to forgiveness of ones sins

Both Quran and Hadith are clear that those who repent sincerely to Allah, acknowledging their sins, and commit not to return again to those sins will have their sins forgiven. The Prophet (s) said: “If the servant acknowledges his sin and repents, then Allah accepts his repentance.” (Reported by Muslim, End; Trans. vol. 4, no. 6673)

Parting remarks

Finally, let’s remember that Allah has reminded us repeatedly in the Quran about repentance and that His doors for accepting repentance are always open. All that’s needed from us is to let go of our stubbornness and use the opportunity to turn to Him in repentance. Allah says in the Quran repeatedly:

“Verily, He is the One Who forgives (accepts repentance), the Most Merciful.”

Quran (Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 37)

He also tells us in the Quran:

Say: “O Ibadee (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Quran (Surah Az-Zumar, Verse 53)

The question we ought to ask ourselves is that if we know we are engaged in certain sinful behavior, why wouldn’t we then stop and ask Allah’s forgiveness? As Allah says in the Quran:

Will they not repent to Allah and ask His Forgiveness? For Allah is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Quran (Surah Al-Maeda, Verse 74)

The journey of a soul after death – Islamic beliefs according to hadith

Al-Bukhari recorded that Al-Bara bin `Azib, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Messenger of Allah said,
(When the Muslim is questioned in the grave, he will testify that, `La ilaha illallah', and that Muhammad is Allah's Messenger, hence Allah's statement, (Allah will keep firm those who believe, with word that stands firm in this world, and in the Hereafter.) Muslim and the rest of the Group recorded it. Imam Ahmad recorded that Al-Bara bin `Azib said, "We went with the Messenger of Allah to attend a funeral procession of an Ansari man. We reached the grave site when it had not yet been completed. The Messenger of Allah sat, and we sat all around him, as if there were birds hovering above our heads. The Prophet was holding a piece of wood in his hand, poking the ground with it. He next raised his head and said twice or thrice,
(Seek refuge with Allah from the punishment of the grave.) He said next,
(When a believing slave is reaching the end of his term in the life of this world and the beginning of his term in the Hereafter, a group of angels, whose faces are white and as radiant as the sun, will descend onto him from heaven. They will carry with them white shroud from Paradise, and fragrance for enshrouding from Paradise. They will sit as far from him as the sight goes. Then, the angel of death, will come until he sits right next to his head, saying, "O, good and pure soul! Depart (your body) to Allah's forgiveness and pleasure.'' So the soul flows (out of its body), just as the drop flows out from the tip of the jug, and the angel of death captures it. When he captures the soul, they (the group of angels) will not leave it with him for more than an instance, and they will seize it and wrap it in that shroud, and in that fragrance. A most pleasant musk scent ever found on the earth, will flow out of the soul, and the angels will ascend it (to heaven). They will not pass by, but they will say, "Whose is this Tayyib (good) soul'' They (the angels who are ascending the soul) will reply, "Such person, the son of such and such person,'' -- calling him by the best names that he used to be called in the world. They will reach the lower heaven and will ask that its door be opened for him, and it will be opened for them. The best residents of every heaven will then see him to the next heaven, until he is brought to the seventh heaven. Allah, the Exalted and Ever High, will say, "List my servants record in `Illiyyin and send him back to earth, for I have created them from it, and into it I shall return them, and from it I shall bring them out once again.'' The soul will be joined with its body, and two angels will come to him, sit him up and ask him, "Who is your Lord'' He will say, "Allah is my Lord.'' They will ask him, "What is your religion'' He will say, "My religion is Islam.'' They will say to him, "What do you say about this man (Prophet Muhammad) who was sent to you'' He will say, "He is the Messenger of Allah.'' They will ask him, "And what proof do you have about it'' He will say, "I read the Book of Allah (the Qur'an), and had faith and belief in him.'' Then, a caller (Allah) will herald from heaven, "My servant has said the truth. Therefore, furnish him from Paradise, and let him wear from (the clothes of) Paradise, and open a door for him to Paradise.'' So he is given from Paradise's tranquillity and good scent, and his grave will be expanded for him as far as his sight can reach. Then, a man, with a handsome face and handsome clothes and whose scent is pleasant, will come to him, saying, "Receive the glad tidings with that which pleases you. This is the Day which you were promised.'' He will ask him, "Who are you; for yours is the face that carries the good news'' He will reply, "I am your good works.'' He will say, "O Lord! Hurry up with the commencement of the Hour, hurry up with the commencement of the Hour, so I can return to my family and my wealth.'')
فَيَقُولُ اللهُ: اكْتُبُوا كِتَابَهُ فِي سِجِّينٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ السُّفْلَى، فَتُطْرَحُ رُوحُهُ طَرْحًا ثُمَّ قَرَأَ
(And when the disbelieving person is reaching the end of his term in the world and the beginning of his term in the Hereafter, there will descend onto him from heaven angels with dark faces. They will bring with them Musuh, and will sit as far from him as the sight reaches. Then the angel of death will come forward and sit right next to his head, saying, "O impure, evil soul! Depart (your body) to the anger of Allah and a wrath from Him.'' The soul will scatter throughout his body, and the angel of death will seize it as when the thorny branch is removed from wet wool. The angel of death will seize the soul, and when he does, they (the group of angels) will not let it stay in his hand for more than an instance, and they will wrap it in the Musuh. The most putrid smell a dead corpse can ever have on earth will emit from the soul, and the angels will ascend with it. Whenever they pass by a group of angels, they will ask, "Whose is this evil soul'' The angels will respond, "He is such person son of such person,'' -- calling him by the worst names he was known by in the world. When they reach the lowest heaven, they will request that its door be opened for him, and their request will be denied. "For them the gates of heaven will not be opened, and they will not enter Paradise until the camel goes through the eye of the needle.'' ﴿7:40﴾ Allah will declare, "List his record in Sijjin in the lowest earth.'' The wicked soul will then be thrown ﴿from heaven﴾. "And whoever assigns partners to Allah, it is as if he had fallen from the sky, and the birds had snatched him, or the wind had thrown him to a far off place.''﴿22:31﴾ His soul will be returned to his body, and two angels will come to him, sit him up and ask him, "Who is your Lord'' He will say, "Oh, oh! I do not know.'' They will ask him, "What is your religion'', and he will say, "Oh, oh! I do not know.'' They will ask him, "What do you say about this man (Prophet Muhammad) who was sent to you'' He will say, "Oh, oh, I do not know!'' A caller (Allah) will herald from heaven, "My servant has lied, so furnish him with the Fire and open a door for him to the Fire.'' He will find its heat and fierce hot wind. And his grave will be reduced in size, until his bones crush each other. Then, a man with a dreadful face, wearing dreadful clothes and with a disgusting smell emitting from him will come to him, saying, "Receive the glad tidings with that which will displease you! This is the Day that you have been promised.'' He will ask that man, "And who are you, for yours is the face that brings about evil'' He will say, "I am your evil work.'' He will therefore cry, "O, my Lord! Do not commence the Hour(Day of judgement)!'')

Five qualities of a true believer of Islam (a Muslim)

In these Quran verses, Allah highlights five characteristics of true believers.

qualities of a Muslim

    2. The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His Verses (this Quran) are recited unto them, they (i.e. the Verses) increase their Faith; and they put their trust in their Lord (Alone);
    3. Who perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat) and spend out of that We have provided them.
    4. It is they who are the believers in truth. For them are grades of dignity with their Lord, and Forgiveness and a generous provision (Paradise).

    Quran (Surah Al-Anfal, verses 2 – 4)

It’s clear from these verses that the qualities of a true Muslim mentioned in these verses are the following:

    When Allah is mentioned, they feel the fear of Him in their hearts;
    Their faith increases every time they hear and ponder over Quran’s verses;
    They put their trust in Allah, i.e. have Tawakkul on Allah;
    They perform prayers regularly;
    They spend in charity in the path of Allah.

As a Muslim, one can take heed from these verses and assess the state of his heart. In his tafsir, Ibn Kathir writes that none of Allah’s remembrance enters the hearts of the hypocrites upon performing what He has ordained. They neither believe in any of Allah’s Ayat nor trust (in Allah) nor pray if they are alone nor pay the Zakah due on their wealth.

The primary point is that a true believer is one when Allah is mentioned, he feels a fear in his heart, and thus implements His orders and abstains from His prohibitions.

About such people, Sufyan Ath-Thawri narrated that As-Suddi commented, “A man might be thinking of committing injustice or a sin. But he abstains when he is told, `Have Taqwa of Allah’, and his heart becomes fearful.”

Finally, for such people Allah has promised ‘grades of dignity’, i.e. special places in paradise. We know from various ahadith that paradise has many levels and the more deserving are granted better and higher grades in paradise. In a Hadith recorded by Imam Ahmad and the collectors of Sunan, Abu Atiyyah said that Ibn Abu Said said that the Messenger of Allah said,

image

“Residents of Paradise see the residents of the highest grades just as you see the distant planet in the horizon of the sky. Verily, Abu Bakr and `Umar are among them (in the highest grades), and how excellent they are.”

Reference: Quran and Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Getting highest achievement according to the Quran

Getting highest achievement according to the Quran

70. O you who believe! Keep your duty to Allah and fear Him, and speak (always) the truth.
71. He will direct you to do righteous good deeds and will forgive you your sins. And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger,, he has indeed achieved a great achievement (i.e. he will be saved from the Hell-fire and will be admitted to Paradise).    

Quran (Surah Al-Ahzab, Verses 70-71)

Understanding the Greatness and Magnificence of Allah by examples

Understanding the Greatness and Magnificence of Allah by examples

In Sura Ar-Ra’ad Allah Tells us:

8. Allah knows what every female bears, and by how much the wombs fall short (of their time or number) or exceed. Everything with Him is in (due) proportion.)

9. All-Knower of the unseen and the seen, the Most Great, the Most High.)

10. It is the same (to Him) whether any of you conceals his speech or declares it openly, whether he be hid by night or goes forth freely by day.

Quran (Surah Ar-Raad, Verses 8 – 10)

Reflections on these verses:

• Allah affirms His perfect knowledge, from which nothing is hidden.
• He has complete knowledge of whatever every female creature is carrying – whether male or female, fair or ugly, miserable or happy, whether it will have a long or a short life.
• Allah remains fully aware of all the developments that take place in the child while in its mother’s womb, and He watches over the decrease or increase in each of its limbs, and its potentialities, capabilities and powers.
• Everything with Him is in proportion “for a term appointed.”
• Allah has the records of the provisions and terms of His creation and made an appointed term for everything.
• He is the One and the Only Lord for all the universe, its Creator, Owner, Organizer, Provider, Master, Planner, Sustainer, Cherisher, and Giver of security.
• Allah declares that His knowledge is encompassing all of His creation.
• Nothing ever escapes His observation – even if people wish to hide something from Him.

In the two Sahihs it is recorded that `Abdullah bin Mas`ud said that the Messenger of Allah said:

“The matter of the creation of one of you is put together in the womb of the mother in forty days, and then he becomes a clot of thick blood for a similar period, and then a piece of flesh for a similar period. Then Allah sends an angel who is ordered to write four things. He is ordered to write down his provisions, his life span, his deeds, and whether he will be blessed or wretched.”)

Al-Bukhari recorded that `Abdullah bin `Umar said that the Messenger of Allah said,

“The Keys of the Ghayb (unseen knowledge) are five, nobody knows them but Allah. Nobody knows what will happen tomorrow except Allah; nobody knows what is in the womb except Allah; nobody knows when it will rain except Allah; no soul knows at what place he will die except Allah; and nobody knows when the (Final) Hour will begin except Allah.”

Ashura of Muharram – Sunni Muslim Observance

Ashura of Muharram – Sunni Muslim Observance

10th of Muharram (the day of Ashura / Ashoora) is observed as an important day by Sunni Muslims – however, for different reasons.

Most scholars believe that Ahsura is named as such because of “tenth” of Muharram (ten is translated as “Ashara” in the Arabic language)

Sunni Muslims look at Ashura as a day of “respect and gratitude” (for Prophet Moosa and his nation).

Sunni Muslims

Based on the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (saws), Sunni Muslims celebrate Ashura as the day when Prophet Moses (Moosa) fasted on that day because Allah saved the Israelites from their enemy in Egypt. One of the many Ahadith (sayings of Prophet Muhammad) that attests to that is in Bukhari that states:

Narrated by al-Bukhaari (1865) from Ibn ‘Abbaas, who said: The Prophet (saws) came to Madinah and saw the Jews fasting on the day of Ashoora. He said, “What is this?” They said, “This is a good day, this is the day when Allah saved the Children of Israel from their enemy and Moosa fasted on this day.” He (the Prophet Muhammad) said, “We are closer to Moosa than you.”

So he (the Prophet Muhammad) fasted on this day and told the people to fast.

There are many other versions of this Hadith in the books of “Muslim” and “Bukhari”.

According to a version narrated by Muslim,

This is a great day when Allah saved Moosa (Moses) and his people and drowned Pharaoh and his people.”

Sunni Muslims celebrate Ashura by fasting on that day. Usually, Sunni Muslims are recommended to fast on the 9th and 10th of Muharram.

Al-Shaafa’i and his companions, Ahmad, Ishaaq and others said: It is mustahabb [recommended] to fast both the ninth and the tenth, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) fasted the tenth and intended to fast the ninth. Based on this, there are different ways of fasting ‘Ashoora’, the least of which is to fast the tenth only, but it is better to fast the ninth as well. The more one fasts in Muharram, the better. (islamqa.info)

Other Ahadith on the subject are the following:

The prophet observed the fast on Ashuraa (the 10th of Muharram), and ordered (Muslims) to fast on that day. (Agreed upon Hadith i.e. Bukhari & Muslim).

Narrated by Abi Katada: The prophet was asked about fasting on ‘Ashuraa’ (the 10th of Muharram), he said: “it expiates the previous year (for sins).” (Sahih Muslim)

It was proven from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) that the best fasting after Ramadaan is fasting in the month of Muharram. It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The best fasting after Ramadan is the month of Allah Muharram, and the best prayer after the obligatory prayer is prayer at night.” Narrated by Muslim, 1163






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