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"Return,
return, whatever
you are, return.
If you are an infidel, a polytheist, still return to Him.
This door is not the door of despair;
Even if you break your repentance a
hundred times, return again."
Translation: Turn back to Allah, turn back. Whatever you are,
however you may be, turn back to Allah. If you are a disbeliever or an
idolater, do not despair of His mercy. Allah’s door is not a door of
hopelessness. Even if you break your repentance a hundred times, there is no
need to despair. Go forward and turn back to your Lord.
Repentance, or tawbah, in Islam is not merely an act of seeking
forgiveness but a profound spiritual return to the divine. It involves genuine
remorse for past sins, a firm intention to avoid them in the future, and a
return to the mercy and grace of Allah. In this context, the essence of
repentance is that Allah’s mercy is boundless, and no matter how many times one
may falter, His door remains open for those who return sincerely.
The story of a woman among the war prisoners serves as an example. She
had lost her infant and was in such a state of despair that she would try to
nurse any child she saw, thinking it was hers. Upon observing this, the Prophet
Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) asked his companions if they could imagine that a mother
would throw her own child into the fire. The companions responded that she
would never do such a thing and would rather sacrifice herself than allow harm
to come to her child. The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) then said, "Allah is more
merciful to His devotees than this mother is to her child."
This narration highlights the boundless mercy of Allah and reminds us
that, no matter the extent of our mistakes, Allah’s compassion always surpasses
our expectations. One should never despair when seeking His forgiveness;
rather, the act of returning to Him is always welcomed, regardless of past
transgressions.
The act of repentance and seeking forgiveness purifies the soul,
cleanses the heart, and transforms the life of the individual. The process of
turning towards Allah, expressing regret, and seeking forgiveness is not just a
ritual; it is a spiritual recalibration that leads to inner peace and
tranquility. One must strive to maintain their covenant with Allah, which was
made before creation, and continually return to Him in repentance when lapses
occur.
Even the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.), despite being sinless, performed
repentance over seventy times a day, demonstrating that no one, regardless of
their status, is free from the need for constant spiritual renewal. His example
serves as a guide for all believers in the practice of regular repentance.
The Prophet’s supplication also encapsulates the essence of tawbah:
"O Allah, You are my Lord; there is no deity but You. You created me, and
I am Your devotee. I have pledged to obey You to the best of my ability, and
whenever I falter, I seek refuge in Your mercy. O Allah, I acknowledge the
blessings You have bestowed upon me, and I confess my sins. Forgive me, for no
one can forgive sins but You."
Allah’s words in the Qur'an further emphasize this
concept:
"Indeed, those who fear Allah—when an impulse from Satan
touches them, they remember Him and at once see clearly."
(Surah Al-A'raf 201)
This verse underscores that the true believer is one who remains
vigilant, constantly aware of Allah’s presence, and when tempted by evil or
sin, turns back immediately in repentance. Repentance is thus not confined to
moments of failure but is a continuous practice necessary for maintaining a
close relationship with Allah.
In conclusion, the act of returning to Allah in repentance is a pivotal
aspect of spiritual life in Islam. It fosters purity, brings inner peace, and
ensures the believer's continual alignment with the divine will. This process,
marked by humility, sincerity, and constant reflection, remains an essential
practice for every believer throughout their life.
Tajalliyat-The Divine Manifestation
KHWAJA SHAMS-UD-DEEN AZEEMI
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MERCIFUL, THE BENEVOLENT
Dedicated to those scientists, who are inching towards the cognizance of the facts, spotlighted by Allah Almighty, in the wake of their intelligent observation for the top vertex of scientific achievement, which is not other than the "Disastrous end of the Universe". And this is probably during 15th century of Lunar calendar.
