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 1fourth 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.
Posted on: Thu, 10 Jul 2014 03:08:49 +0000
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