For The Supplication of Forgiveness To Be Regarded

Undoubtedly, Allah is The Most Merciful, The Compassionate, The Oft Forgiving and Pardoning of all sins. “Say, 'O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful'” (39:53). However, has one taken the time to reflect on the requirements the servant should fulfill for his/her supplication of forgiveness to be regarded? Has one thought about the greatness of the One he/she is asking? Should not one develop, first, the right reverence toward Allah (swt) to acquire the primordial condition to be heard, which is the humility? The Prophet (pbuh) used to instruct his companions about the greatness of Allah (swt) to train them on showing proper reverence to Allah, The Almighty. It was narrated from Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, that: “The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) recited this verse one day while on the pulpit: 'They have not appraised Allah with true appraisal, while the earth entirely will be within His grip on the Day of Resurrection, and the heavens will be folded in His right hand. Exalted is He and high above what they associate with Him' (39:67). The Messenger of Allah moved his hand back and forth, saying: ‘The Lord glorifies Himself: I am the Compeller, I am the Supreme, I am the King, I am the Almighty, I am the Generous.’ The pulpit trembled under the Messenger of Allah until we feared it might collapse beneath him.” The more one deepens his/her knowledge about Allah’s greatness, the more humility and dependence one would show to His Majesty.

He/she would then witness his/her complete dependence on Allah in every atom of his/her being, and show an absolute necessity for Him in all his/her actions. Similarly, the awareness of the reality of the unseen world around us would increase and sustain one’s mindfulness of Allah’s greatness, power and absolute will. The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) once said: “Indeed, I see what you do not see. The heavens creak, and they have every right to creak. There is no space the width of four fingers in them except that there is an angel placing its forehead in prostration to Allah, The Exalted. By Allah, if you knew what I know, you would laugh little and weep much. You would not find pleasure with women on your beds, and you would go out to the open fields crying out to Allah, the Exalted.”

Once one develops humility, one’s inner sight would be illuminated, allowing one to see that the requirements of forgiveness are not just limited to the sincere supplication. They need to be preceded and/or accompanied by strong Iman (faith), devotion and sincere striving. “Surely those who have believed, and those who have emigrated and struggled in the Way of Allah — those can hope for Allah’s mercy. And Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful” (2:218). “Then, indeed your Lord – to those who left their homes after they were persecuted, and who thereafter struggled hard and remained constant – indeed, your Lord, after that, is Forgiving and Merciful” (16:110).

Illuminated inner sight also perceives that Allah’s forgiveness and pleasure could not be gained by just good deeds. The seeker of Allah’s pleasure needs to have the drive of loving Allah (swt) and longing for Him. One who looks within his/her inner self realizes that the self of his/hers is insignificant, powerless and weak and that nothing bestows honor, dignity, and joy upon it except the pleasure of Allah Almighty. Therefore, surrendering oneself to the Creator and Sustainer is a rational act, natural and inevitable for whoever truly knows themselves and knows their Lord. This inevitable surrender is concretized with offering the most precious thing one possesses – one's very self – to Allah Almighty. It is a self that needs to prove its worth, so that its Lord would accept it with the evidence of faith, sincerity, love, and humility.

When the Prophet (pbuh) migrated, Suhayb Ar-Rumi (may Allah be pleased with him) set out to migrate as well. However, a group of Quraysh pursued him to capture him. Suhayb dismounted from his camel, took out his quiver, and, being a skilled archer, said to them, "You know that I am one of the best archers among you. By Allah, you will not reach me until I shoot all the arrows in my quiver, and then fight you with my sword until nothing is left in my hands.” They replied, "We will not let you leave as a wealthy man, since you came to us as a poor individual. Instead, guide us to your wealth, and we will let you go." Suhayb agreed to their terms, directed them to his wealth, and they allowed him to leave. When Suhayb reached the Prophet (pbuh), the Prophet (pbuh) said upon seeing him, "The trade has been successful, O Abu Yahya!” Read the revelation which he received concerning this matter “And of the people is he who sells himself, seeking means to the approval of Allah. And Allah is Kind to [His] servants” (2:207).

When one dedicates his/her life to Allah’s pleasure, fearing Him and adoring Him, will be encompassed with Allah’s special care. Qatadah said: "Whoever fears Allah, Allah will be with them. And whoever has Allah with them has an undefeatable Ally, a vigilant Protector Who never sleeps, and a Guide Who never goes astray.” Such a noble servant becomes a beacon of light and a source of blessings like Mohamed Ibn Wasih, an early righteous predecessor, who went out to strive in the cause of Allah. Qutaybah ibn Muslim al-Bahili, the commander of the army, noticed his absence and sent soldiers to search for him. They found him with his gaze lifted toward the sky, leaning on his bow, raising his index finger, and saying: “O Ever-Living, O Sustainer! O Ever-Living, O Sustainer!” They returned to inform Qutaybah ibn Muslim of what they had seen. His eyes filled with tears of joy, and he said: “Rejoice, for by the One in whose hand is my soul, the finger of Muhammad ibn Wasih is more beloved to me than a hundred thousand drawn swords and a hundred thousand brave young men in the cause of Allah.” And the Muslims prevailed, by the permission of Allah …

O Allah, grant us the immense favor to reach Ramadan.