Penitence

LESSON # 484 FROM HOLY QUR’AN

Penitence

Surah NISAAA’  (WOMEN) - Chapter - 4)

Verses –17 of 176, Section –3/24 (Part – 4)

Forgiveness is only incumbent on Allah toward those who do evil in ignorance (and) then turn quickly (in repentance) to Allah; these are they toward whom Allah relenteth. And Allah is ever Knower, Wise.

‘Innamat-tawbatu  ‘alal-laahi  lillaziina ya’-maluunas-suuu-‘a  bi-jahaalatin  summa  yatuubuuna  min-  qariibin-  fa-‘ulaaa-‘ika  yatuu-bullaahu  ‘alayhim.  Wa  kaanallaahu  ‘Aliiman  Hakiimaa.

Lesson

 Tawbah – literal meanings of this word are, “to come back, to return, coming back again towards that place, which was left”. Whenever any person offends, he falls back from the attendance of Allah Almighty. He should return towards Allah Almighty. In this condition, he should accept his mistake and promise honestly that he would not repeat such mistake in future, and he should stand firm upon it. It is called tawbah. Only using the word tawbah by tongue repeatedly, does not have any weight. Repentance will be acceptable at that time, when someone feels sorrow upon his/her bad acts and accepts with heart that he/she will never do such improper action again.

Allah Almighty commanded about some big evils and sins, like fornication/adultery, sodomy and their punishments. Then He told that He forgives also such crimes, provided that, the sinners turn quickly in repentance to Allah Almighty, correct their deeds and refrain from committing this sin again in future; these are the persons, toward whom Allah Almighty relents. But remember! That Allah Almighty has taken responsibility to forgive and relent only such people, who committed any sin due to ignorance or with stupidity and feel shame immediately, when they know about the sin and badness, and they promise to escape from such wicked deeds in future. Allah Almighty forgives the mistakes of such people urgently. He knows every thing. His Knowledge is most spacious. He knows that who has did evil intentionally or unintentionally, and who repented with purity. His all works are full of wisdom.

Two conditions have been applied upon acceptance of the repentance:

·       The persons, who do evil in ignorance.

·       They turn quickly in repentance to Allah.

It has been revealed that the person, who does evil due to ignorance and as soon as he gets warning, turns quickly toward the repentance, according to the Law of Allah Almighty, certainly his repentance will be accepted. And the person, who presumes to disobey the order of Allah Almighty, do not turn immediately toward repentance after knowing himself sinful. Moreover, he used to delay in feeling the sorrow for his sins and remained in rather state, then according to the principle of justice his mistake is not forgivable. However, Allah Almighty may forgive being Merciful and Kind enough.

After knowing the glad tiding about acceptance of the repentance, it is compulsory for us to turn quickly towards Allah Almighty, whenever any sin occurs from us knowingly or unknowingly. We should also promise not to repeat it again in future. We should pray from Allah Almighty to pardon our sins and be entitled of forgiveness. Allah Almighty revealed the good news that whenever any person walks one step towards Him, His Mercy walks ten steps towards that person.        

Transliterated Holy Qur’an in Roman Script & Translated from Arabic to English by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazar, Lahore, Lesson collected from Dars e Qur’an published By Idara Islah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated Urdu to English  by Muhammad Sharif).