Forgiveness

Forgiveness is the intentional and voluntary process by which a victim undergoes a change in feelings and attitude regarding an offense, lets go of negative emotions such as vengefulness, forswears recompense from or punishment of the offender, however legally or morally justified it might be, and with an increased ability to wish the offender well. Forgiveness is different from condoning (failing to see the action as wrong and in need of forgiveness), excusing (not holding the offender as responsible for the action), forgetting (removing awareness of the offense from consciousness), pardoning (granted for an acknowledged offense by a representative of society, such as a judge), and reconciliation (restoration of a relationship).

63179

Forgiveness . Sin

Does any spiritual leader in Islam have the right to tell his followers that he has forgiven all their sins?

Amina Inloes, Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the... Answer updated 3 weeks ago

A similar question has been answered here, but I'm sure there is no harm if others want to add more answers! https://www.al-islam.org/ask/can-any-spiritual-leader-claim-that-he-has-the-authority-to-forgive-the-sins-of-a-person

It seems as if you may have a specific spiritual leader in mind. Anyway, I don't know who it is, but no, they don't have the authority to forgive even one sin of a person let alone all of their sins. It sounds like they are playing psychological games or perhaps they are genuinely confused. Sometimes people who go heavily into mysticism become a little deluded or psychologically unbalanced and believe things about themself or their spiritual capabilities that are not true, this is not to say it is bad to go into mysticism and 'irfan but just that there are some dangers associated with it that it is good to be on the lookout for with respect to one's self and those one looks to for spiritual guidance. You should not trust wholeheartedly someone who claims to be able to forgive peoples' sins.

Also as a general rule it is always wise to keep one's eyes open around spiritual guides (as you are doing), there is no harm in taking the good from them and benefitting from whatever good they have to offer, but some people treat their spiritual guides as if they are walking gods and infallibles and no human being, except the prophets and Imams, can live up to that. Unless someone is in a complete state of denial, it often leads to a letdown, abuse, or loss of faith, because they are human beings. Anyway this may be veering off topic, wishing you the best in your spiritual pursuits.

63185

God (Allah) . Forgiveness . Lie

I recently broke my arm but I kind of lied to people about how it happened because I couldn't remember exactly how it did. Will Allah forgive me?

It is not my place or anyone's place to say whether Allah will forgive you, but, inshallah, if you ask Allah sincerely for forgiveness and pledge to try to not to lie in the future, you can have hope that Allah would forgive you. Allah is merciful and it does not benefit Allah to punish us! The important thing in life is that we are trying our best and we recognize when we make mistakes.

It is said that, during the time of the Prophet (S), one of the companions was involved in a number of serious sins such as drinking, unlawful relationships with women, and even stealing. [I am not saying you are, but clearly this man had a lot of problems.] One day, he went to the Prophet (S) and told him he was doing all of these things but he could not stop all of them at once, so which one should he stop? The Prophet (S) told him to stop lying.

The man was surprised since lying seemed to be the least of his problems, but he accepted the advice and left, swearing solemnly never to tell another lie again.

However, he soon realized why the Prophet (S) had said this. For when he had a chance to steal, or drink, or do something else, he thought, "If I do this, and the Prophet (S) asks me if I did it, I will have to tell him the truth." And then he thought of how embarrassing it would be if he had to tell the Prophet (S) what he was doing. And so it wasn't long before he stopped all of these other sins as well.

I hope your arm gets better soon!

62787

Sin . Forgiveness . God (Allah) . Du'a (Supplication)

How many times can Allah forgive a sin that is repeated? And how can I know if my sin is forgiven and my Dua for its forgiveness is accepted?

Zoheir Ali Esmail, Shaykh Zoheir Ali Esmail has a Bsc in Accounting and Finance from the LSE in London, and an MA in Islamic Studies from Middlesex University. He studied Arabic at Damascus University and holds a PhD... Answered 1 month ago

Bismillah

Thank you for your question. Allah is all-Forgiving and all-Merciful so there is no set limit to the amount of times He will forgive a sin, especially if the one who is seeking forgiveness is sincere. One of the signs of the acceptance of forgiveness can be seen in a real change in a person.

May you always be successful.

61894

Shirk . Sin . Forgiveness . God (Allah)

Why is Shirk such a major sin against God that He will not forgive, despite His unlimited compassion and mercy, when for sins against other people we are asked by God to seek their forgiveness?

Abbas Di Palma, Shaykh Abbas Di Palma holds a BA and an MA degree in Islamic Studies, and certifications from the Language Institute of Damascus University. He has also studied traditional Islamic sciences in... Answer updated 1 month ago

as salam alaikum

the Qur'an says: "Surely Allah does not forgive that a partner be associated with Him but He forgives everything else to whomsoever He wills" (4:48). On the other hand, He says: "Do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed He forgives all sins: (39:53).

To understand this, we need to understand that Allah forgives anyone who believes in Him: "Surely I am Forgiving to him who turns in repentance to Me and believes and do righteous deeds and sticks to the guidance" ( (20:82).

Shirk is not something to be forgiven by Allah in the sense that it is the mushrik to put himself out of Allah's mercy. A wrongdoing committed against yourselves can be forgiven through Allah's mercy, a wrongdoing committed against another person also can be forgiven in a similar way, as long as we are pure enough to turn to Him and be receivers of His mercy. Shirk however cannot be forgiven in such way because by limiting Allah's presence in your heart, you are limiting Allah's mercy on you as well. It is reported in a hadith qudsi that Allah said:

أنا عند ظن عبدي بي

"I am as My servant thinks I am"

It is only through faith and by fully relying on Him, that we can uproot shirk and hope in His mercy and Forgiveness.

In conclusion we can say that there is no limit to Allah's mercy as long as the servant does not limit himself and turns away from it.

With prayers for your success.

61343

Sin . Hajj . God (Allah) . Forgiveness

If a person plans to commit a major sin deliberately and plans to go to Hajj to erase his past sins, will Allah forgive him?

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 2 months ago

Such preplanned sins are unforgiven. Allah (SWT) says in Quran: Verily, your Lord for those who committed sins, in ignorance and then repent and do good deeds, verily, your Lord thereafter is Oft-forgiving, Merciful. ( Sura 16, Verse 119.

Wassalam.

60850

Forgiveness . Sawm (Fasting) . Kaffara

If a person is financially dependent, and cannot feed 60 poor people, can he pray for forgiveness only if he doesn't want to keep the 60 fasts as part of the Kaffarah due on him?

Kaffara is obligatory when the person deliberately committed the sinful act of not fasting during the month of Ramadhan. If his health does not allow him to fast, and he has no money to feed sixty poor persons, then he should feed the number of poor persons which he can, and recite Estighfaar.

Wassalam.

60848

Forgiveness . Parents . Soul

In addition to praying and asking for forgiveness for my deceased parents, what other good deeds can I regularly do on their behalf to please their soul and uplift their rank?

These are some useful acts for your deceased parents:

1. Fulfilling all their debts whether religious debts of worships which they missed (Prayers, Fast, Khums, Hajj etc) or financial or moral debts to people.

2. Paying Sadaqa or charity on their behalf. Charities with continuous benefits (Sadaqa Jaria) is much better like water will, Masjid, Husainia, orphanage, school, etc).

3. Arranging Majaalis on their behalf.

4. Reciting Quran or paying to people who can recite on their behalf.

5. Reciting Ziyarat Ashura and other Ziyarat on their behalf.

Wassalam.

59577

Slander . Forgiveness

If someone has slandered another person, and neither the victim of slander nor the person who heard it are contactable anymore, is there another way to be forgiven for the act? Can one pray for the person who heard the slander that he may forget it?

If you can not contact the victim to apologize and seek his pardon, you should pray for him and do good deeds on his behalf so that he might feel happy when he receives your gifts and forgive you.

Wassalam.

60111

Forgiveness . Sawm (Fasting)

When I was 15, on my first Roza, I drank a tiny sip of water. I can't hold this burden on my heart and was wondering if I can be forgiven?

as salam alaikum

you should ask forgiveness to Allah and sincerely turn to Him: He is the All-Forgiving. The Qur'an says: "Do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Surely He forgives all sins" (39:53).

If you are remorseful for your mistake and you do not intend to repeat it again, put your full trust in Him and continue to look for His mercy that embraces all things, insh'Allah you will be successful.

With prayers for your success.

59003

Sin . Forgiveness . God (Allah)

Can we harm others, lie and sin believing that we can ask forgiveness everyday from Allah (swt) who will simply forgive us?

1. This is very wrong way of thinking which goes too far from the real meaning of forgiveness. The Quranic Verse states : ( Allah accepts only the repentance of those who do wrong in ignorance and repent soon afterwards) Sura An Nisa , Verse 17.

2. Sinful acts on others will not be forgiven by Allah, unless and until the victims forgive the sinners. There is no question in harming others and seeking forgiveness before returning their rights and making them forgive you from their hearts.

3. Allah does not forgive those who intend to repeat the sin again because of the fact that one of the conditions of forgiveness is to decide not to commit the sin again.

May Allah protect us from sinful acts and forgive us and all the believers , by the Waseela of His Most beloved servants Mohammad and his Holy Progeny Ahlul Bayt (AS).

Wassalam.

59204

Forgiveness . Sin . Punishment . Hope . God (Allah)

I had asked Allah for forgiveness of a particular sin and had sworn by Allah that I wouldn't do it again and I should be given a huge punishment if I do. I did the sin again today and now I feel very worried. Is there any hope for me now?

Allah The Glorious, The Forgiver, The Most Merciful, Most Compassionate Has kept the gate of repentance open for all sinners who really and sincerely repent and decide not to commit the sin again. If they do it again, the gate of forgiveness will not be closed if they sincerely repent.

Keep on seeking forgiveness and never loose hope in The Mercy of Allah.

Wassalam.

47416

Husband . Wife . God (Allah) . Forgiveness

If a husband does not accept a wife's sincere apologies will Allah forgive the wife if she repents?

Seyed Ali Musawi, Seyed Ali Musawi studied religion and history at the University of California, San Diego and subsequently he studied for more than 8 years at the Islamic Seminary in Qum, Iran, focusing on Islamic... Answered 4 months ago

Allah is the most forgiving and he has promised to forgive us any of our sins, even the worst of sins, if we sincerely ask him. Know that once you have sincerely asked Allah, and you have repented, then your sin is definitely forgiven!

Human beings are another matter and it may take some time for them to forgive one another. Inshallah, in time, your husband will also come around...