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).

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 week 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 3 weeks 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 3 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...

55401

Murder . Repentance . Forgiveness

If a man commits the murder of an innocent human being, how does Allah forgive the act and murderer even with sincere repentance of the act?

There is no doubt that killing a human being is one of the most
dangerous major sins. But we read in the Holy Qur'an in chapter 39 Surah Zomar, verse 53 : "O My servants who have transgressed themselves
(by committing evil deeds and major sins) despair not of the mercy of
Allah . Verily Allah forgives all the sins. Truly He is oft
forgiving, most merciful'.

Any sinner who sincerely repents and seeks forgiveness, Allah (SWT)
who knows what is in the hearts has mentioned in the Holy Qur'an that
He forgives all sins. That does not mean wasting the rights of the
victims' family which is ordained in Islam. But as far as the
relationship between the sinner and Allah (SWT) is concerned, Allah (SWT)
forgives all those who repent sincerely.

Wassalaam.

56434

Sin . Heaven . Divine Judgement . Forgiveness

Does it say in the Quran that the righteous will have their minor sins forgiven? Some say that people will first be punished for their sins and then they will go to heaven on Judgement Day. What is the correct view of this matter?

There are many Qur'anic verses that state that the righteous will be
granted forgiveness on the day of judgment.

In Surah Ibrahim verse 41 ( O my Lord ! Forgive me and my parents and
the believers on the day of judgment).

Also in Surah al-Ma'idah verse 9: Allah (SWT), has promised those who believed and did good, that for them there is forgiveness and a great reward.

Also in Surah Aal-e-Imran verse 136 : For them reward is forgiveness from their Lord
and gardens with rivers flowing underneath.

Many other verses also state the righteous believers will be granted
forgiveness on the day of judgment.

Major sins are not like minors sins and a person who committed sins and repented is not like a person who insisted on committing sins until death. There are people who get
forgiveness for all their sins because of their sincere intentions and very
good deeds. But there are people who will get punished on the day of
judgment and after their punishment, they will be sent to Paradise.

It all depends upon the degree of sincerity and good deeds.

Wassalaam

50970

Sin . Forgiveness

Can any spiritual leader claim that he has the authority to forgive the sins of a person?

This claim is not only wrong but it shows that the person ( not a prophet or his Infallible deputy) who claims it is trying to mislead people and misuse their religious feelings .

People should be told to be aware and away from such persons. Such so called "spiritual leaders" were mentioned in Quran :O YOU WHO BELIEVE, VERILY, MANY OF RABBIS AND MONKS DEVOUR THE WEALTH OF PEOPLE IN FALSE WAYS AND HINDER FROM THE WAY OF ALLAH) Sura Al-Tawba, verse 34.

Wassalam.