THE WARNINGS AND THE REPENTANCE:
By Allah! The recent events, disasters, calamities and the deeds of mankind (The open rejection and disobedience prevailing all around) are warnings of approaching torment, and forthcoming afflictions, so we have no resort except sincere repentance as long as repentance is still available.
Let’s, therefore, not wait until there is no escape, as Allah (SWT) says:
(which means),
*“And those who do wrong will come to know by what overturning they will be overturned.”*
(Quran: Ash-Shu’ara, 26:227)
Allah, the, Exalted says:
*”And all of you beg Allah to forgive you, O believers, that you may be successful”.* (24:31)
*”Seek the forgiveness of your Rubb, and turn to Him in repentance”.* (11:3)
*”O you who believe! Turn to Allah with sincere repentance!”.* (66:8)
Hadith:
Abu Hurairah (RadyAllahu anhu) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (Sallellahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) saying: “By Allah, I seek Allah’s forgiveness and repent to Him more than seventy times a day.”
[Al-Bukhari].
Anas bin Malik Al-Ansari (r.a.) the servant of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s.) narrated: Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s.) said, *”Verily, Allah is more delighted with the repentance of His slave than a person who lost his camel in a desert land and then finds it (unexpectedly)”.*
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In another version of Muslim, he (s.a.w.s.) said: *”Verily, Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His slave than a person who has his camel in a waterless desert carrying his provision of food and drink and it is lost. He, having lost all hopes (to get that back), lies down in shade and is disappointed about his camel; when all of a sudden he finds that camel standing before him. He takes hold of its reins and then out of boundless joy blurts out: ‘O Allah, You are my slave and I am Your Rubb’.He commits this mistake out of extreme joy”.*
Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (r.a.) reported: The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said: *”Allah, the Exalted, will continue to stretch out His Hand in the night so that the sinners of the day may repent, and continue to stretch His Hand in the daytime so that the sinners of the night may repent, until the sun rises from the west”.*
[Muslim].
Commentary:
This Hadith confirms an essential Attribute of Allah, i.e., the Hand which He stretches out anytime He wishes without drawing similarity to it, nor interpretation. Such was the attitude of the pious predecessors with regards to all of the essential Attributes of Allah. It is deduced from this Hadith that if one commits a sin during any hour of day or night, he should immediately seek the forgiveness of Allah as a result.
**Hence it is wise for us to take heed of the warnings and put in a sincere effort in trying to get the ‘Qurb-e-Ilaahi’ (Nearness to Allah (SWT)) through repentance and Ibadaat (prayers, good deeds, pious acts ..etc.). May Allah (SWT) always protect us and keep us in the shade of His Mercy. Aameen!**
Continues….