The son of Adam will always sin but the doors of repentance are wide open.
The son of Adam will always sin but the doors of repentance are wide open.
We all know that one of the best ways to refine our souls is to turn to our Lord in repentance for our sins. In the Holy Quran, Allah (swt) decrees that: “It is He who accepts the repentance of His servants, and excuses their misdeeds and knows what you do.” [Surah Ash-Shura. 26:25]. So what are the benefits and rewards of doing so?
1. As if you are sinless
Prophet Muhammed has said: “He who repents for his sin is like one who has no sin.” [Kenzul Ummal, no. 10174]
2. The purification of the soul
Ali ibn Abi Talib has said: “Repentance purifies the hearts and washes away the sins.” [Ghurar Al-Hikkam, no. 1355]
3. We are the sons of Adam
Prophet Muhammed has said: “Every son of Adam sins and the best of those who sin are those who repent.” [Al-Tirmidhi, no. 2499]
4. For the happiness of Allah (swt)
Prophet Muhammed has said: “Allah rejoices for the repentance of His servant more than the barren woman rejoices for having a child, more than the lost one who finds his way and more than the thirsty one who finds water.” [Kanzul Ummal, no. 10165]
5. The supplication of the Holy Prophet
Prophet Muhammed has said: “Oh Allah, bring our hearts together, reconcile between us, guide us to ways of peace, and deliver us from darkness into light. Keep us away from immorality, outwardly and inwardly, and bless us in our hearing, our seeing, our hearts, our spouses, and our children. Accept our repentance, for you alone are the Relenting, the Merciful. Make us grateful for your blessings, praising and accepting them, and give them to us in full.” [Sunan Abu Dawud, no. 968]
6. The best time for repentance is at night
Prophet Muhammed has said: “Whoever repents before the sun rises from the west, then Allah will forgive him.” [Sahih Muslim, no. 2703]
7. Describing those who repent
Ali ibn Abi Talib has said of those who repent: “They planted the trees of their sins before their eyes and hearts, and watered them with the water of remorse; thus they produced safety for them and left them with contentment and dignity.” [Biharul Anwar: Vol. 78, pg. 72, no. 38]
8. When is it too late?
Mohammed Al-Baqir has said: “When the soul reaches this [and pointed to his throat] there will not remain a chance to repent for the knowledgeable man, but there will remain a chance for the ignorant one.” [Usool Al-Kaafi: Vol. 2, pg. 440, no. 2.
