A BELIEVER NEVER LOSES HOPE IN THE MERCY OF ALLAH TA’AALA

Imaan is a condition between fearing for one’s sins and at the same time, having hope in the mercy of Allah.

It is narrated from Sayyidina Anas Radhiyallaahu Anhu that Nabi Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam entered upon a young man who was on his deathbed. So, he asked him: “How are you feeling?”

He (the young man) answered: “By Allah, O Rasool of Allah, indeed I have hope in Allah, and I also fear because of my sins.”

Rasulullah Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam said: “These two (emotions) will not be gathered in the heart of a slave (of Allah) at such a time like this, except that Allah will grant him what he hopes for and keep him safe from what he fears.” (Tirmidhi)

Sayyidina Jaabir Radhiyallaahu Anhu said that he heard Rasulullah Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam saying: “No one among you should die except that he has good thoughts about Allah.” (Ibni Maajah)

Allah says in the Qur’an:

SAY (O NABI): O SERVANTS OF MINE WHO HAVE WRONGED THEMSELVES, DO NOT DESPAIR OF THE MERCY OF ALLAH. SURELY, ALLAH WILL FORGIVE ALL SINS. SURELY, HE IS THE MOST-FORGIVING, THE MOST-MERCIFUL. (Surah Zumar)

Repentance and Forgiveness

Irrespective of the amount and gravity of sins, a Muslim never loses hope in the mercy of Allah Ta’aala. A Muslim must hold fast to Taubah and Istighfaar and continuously cleanse himself from sins. The mercy and forgiveness of Allah are much more than all our sins put together.

Sayyidina Aby Hurayrah Radhiyallaahu Anhu said that he heard Rasulullah Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam saying:

“WHEN ALLAH DECREED (CREATED) THE CREATION, HE WROTE IN A BOOK WHICH IS WITH HIM ABOVE THE THRONE: VERILY MY MERCY SURPASSES MY ANGER.” (Musnad Ahmad)

Sayyidina Anas bin Maalik Radhiyallaahu Anhu said that Rasulullah Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam said:

“WHEN A PERSON REPENTS, ALLAH MAKES THE ANGELS (KIRAAMAN KAATIBEEN) FORGET HIS SINS, HIS LIMBS AND THE PLACES THE SINS WERE COMMITTED ARE ALSO MADE TO FORGET, AND HE WILL MEET ALLAH IN SUCH A CONDITION THAT THERE WILL BE NO WITNESS FROM ALLAH TO TESTIFY REGARDING SIN.” (At Taubah ibni Asaakir)

Difficulties as Mercy

Difficulties, hardship, poverty, and sickness are beneficial for a believer when proper patience (Sabr) is adopted. These difficulties become a means of expiating sins and raising one’s rank in the hereafter. Consider these as a mercy in disguise while making Du’aa for their removal.

“NO FATIGUE, ILLNESS, DISTRESS, GRIEF, DIFFICULTY, OR SADNESS AFFLICTS A MUSLIM, EVEN TO THE EXTENT OF A THORN PRICKING HIM, EXCEPT THAT ALLAH EXPIATES HIS SINS THROUGH IT.” (Bukhaari)

The Intercession by Rasulullah Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam

On the Day of Qiyaamah, Rasulullah Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam will intercede on behalf of Muslim sinners and implore Allah to forgive them and grant them entry into Jannah. This is a great favor on the Ummah.

“MY INTERCESSION WILL BE FOR THOSE AMONG MY UMMAH WHO COMMITTED MAJOR SINS.” (Abu Dawood)

The Qur’an will also intercede on behalf of its reciters:

“RECITE QUR’AAN, FOR VERILY IT WILL COME AS AN INTERCESSOR ON THE DAY OF QIYAAMAH FOR ITS PEOPLE (RECITERS).” (Muslim)