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He accepts our repentance. Then we commit sins again and make mistakes and when we repent, He again very kindly accepts us and gives us another chance.
4. Al-Haleem (The Clement): This name is mentioned around fifteen times in the Qur’an. This means that God is not quick to judge you. He gives time. He forebears and is patient to see His servant return to Him.
5. Al-Rahman and Al-Rahim (The Most Gracious and The Most Merciful): These names are the most frequent in the Qur’an. Al-Rahman is mentioned 57 times and Al-Raheem is mentioned 114 times. Al-Rahman indicates that God’s grace is abundant, and Al-Raheem indicates that God is full of love and mercy and is ever Merciful.
The Qur’an teaches that God is a Judge and He also punishes. The justice of God, according to Qur’an is that God does not and will not inflict undue punishment on any person. He will take into account everything they have done including the good deeds. And if He wishes to forgive any sinner, He has full freedom to do that. Mercy is His attribute, and His grace is infinite.
Just as it is important to believe in God’s mercy and forgiveness, it is also necessary to include forgiveness in human relations. God tells us as we love to attain His forgiveness, we should be charitable, kind and tolerant ourselves (24:22). We should pray for forgiveness for the believers (47:19) and use the best response towards those who have wronged us personally (41:33-35). All for the sake of God, and in accordance with His teachings (2:272, 48:29).
[42:37] They avoid gross sins and vice, and when angered they forgive.
[42:40] Although the just requital for an injustice is an equivalent retribution,
those who pardon and maintain righteousness are rewarded by GOD. He does not love the unjust.
[16:126] And if you punish, you shall inflict an equivalent punishment. But if you resort to patience (instead of revenge), it would be better for the patient ones. [16:127] You shall resort to patience―and your patience is attainable only with GOD’s help. Do not grieve over them, and do not be annoyed by their schemes.
We sometimes see people fighting, abusing and hurting each other on petty issues, which could have been easily avoided. The root cause of many human conflicts and disputes is ego, and Satan is ever ready to ignite our ego. We submitters must thank God frequently for only He can protect us from this kind of behavior.
God advocates patience and pardoning. God has also sent the prophets and messengers to set the role models for us. Almost all of them were humiliated, hurt, abused and tortured by various means, yet they did not budge from the right path. There are various incidents mentioned in the Quran related to the torments faced by them. But their endurance to sustain all attacks and rock-solid belief in God made them triumphant. The prophets and messengers of God set the benchmark of good behavior for our guidance. God tested these noble individuals and it shows that it is not at all impossible for us to follow it.
There are a number of obstacles that lurk hidden for the one who seeks repentance. Perhaps the greatest is the feeling of fear and despondence. Many feel that it is simply too late to change: “I’ve done my dirt and there is simply no way to get back on track.”
First, we should understand that all humans sin. And God knows every person commits sins. The important part is that as sinners we repent. Many have claimed that the feelings of profound guilt and depression regarding their state chained them from turning to God. This is one of the greatest tricks of the devil;
closing the door of hope to God’s mercy after sinning. The following verse changed my thinking enormously, for it is this verse which installed a huge hope of possible redemption by God.
[2:286] GOD never burdens a soul beyond its means: to its credit is what it earns, and against it is what it commits. “Our Lord, do not condemn us if we forget or make mistakes. Our Lord, and protect us from blaspheming against You, like those before us have done. Our Lord, protect us from sinning until it becomes too late for us to repent. Pardon us and forgive us. You are our Lord and Master. Grant us victory over the disbelieving people.”
I sometimes think that God can turn our sins into a lesson for redemption. Let me explain. When a person commits a sin, and he is sorry, he will think about his sin. This act causes him to fear God, regret his mistakes, weep over it and feel small in front of his Lord due to it. He stands before God broken-hearted and yearning for God’s guidance and forgiveness. The sin may cause him to be honest about his own failings and where he needs to change, and become more humble. This in turn may lead him to repent and lead a righteous life, which is a key step to finding happiness and success. God willing, if he can remain on the right path, it may be the way for him to enter Paradise. But we must rebound from sin and not persist in it. If we were to ask people what it was that brought them back to faith, many would mention a mistake they had made in the past.
[9:118] Also (redeemed were) the three who stayed behind. The spacious earth became so straitened for them, that they almost gave up all hope for themselves. Finally, they realized that there was no escape from GOD, except to Him. He then redeemed them that they may repent. GOD is the Redeemer, Most Merciful.
Notice the wordings at the end of this verse “He then redeemed them that they may repent.” Thus, repentance
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