Islam teaches that Allah is “The Oft-Forgiving”, and is the original source of all forgiveness. Seeking forgiveness from Allah with repentance is a virtue. Allah is exalted, and lord of retribution. The forgiveness mentioned in the holy Quran in verse of Surah Araf 7:143 is read as “Glory be to Thee! I turn unto Thee for repentance, and I am the first to believe,” and also mentioned in the hadith narrated by Ibn Masud(RA) is that Prophet(SA) said, “He who says: I seek the forgiveness of Allah, there is no true God except Allah, the Ever Living, the Self-Subsisting, and I turn to him in repentance, his sins will be forgiven even if he should have run away from the battlefield (during Jihad)” (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Hakim). As far as virtues of forgiveness mentioned in the holy Quran are concerned the Almighty Allah declares that “Surely Allah loves those who turn unto him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves.”(2:222) and definitely, the people whom Allah loves would be the ones who would be blessed with his mercy, kindness and peace.
When sincerely asking for forgiveness, the intention should be not to knowingly repeat the same sin again. A Muslim is to think better of Allah. No denying the fact that Allah e is merciful and forgiving. May Allah give us the strength to forgive others and also ask forgiveness from them! Ameen
This fact is also confirmed by our Prophet (SAW )in one of the traditions narrated by Ibn `Abbas (RA) in which he reported: The Prophet of Allah (SAW) said, ‘If anyone constantly seeks pardon (from Allah), Allah will appoint for him a way out of every distress and relief him from every anxiety, and will provide sustenance for him from where he expects not’(Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah and Ahmad). Few other benefits of seeking forgiveness are highlighted in Surah Nuh (71) verses 10 to 12 in which Allah says “ Ask forgiveness from Almighty Allah; for he is oft-forgiving; he will send rain to you in abundance; give you increase in wealth and sons; and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers (of flowing water)”. From this we can conclude that, the act of seeking forgiveness is vital and essential to overcome distress and to achieve great success in both the worlds. When sincerely asking for forgiveness, the intention should be not to knowingly repeat the same sin again. A Muslim is to think better of Allah. No denying the fact that Allah e is merciful and forgiving. May Allah give us the strength to forgive others and also ask forgiveness from them! Ameen
