Forgiveness

Forgiveness is the intentional and voluntary process by which a victim undergoes a change in feelings and attitude regarding an offense, lets go of negative emotions such as vengefulness, forswears recompense from or punishment of the offender, however legally or morally justified it might be, and with an increased ability to wish the offender well. Forgiveness is different from condoning (failing to see the action as wrong and in need of forgiveness), excusing (not holding the offender as responsible for the action), forgetting (removing awareness of the offense from consciousness), pardoning (granted for an acknowledged offense by a representative of society, such as a judge), and reconciliation (restoration of a relationship).

55401

Murder . Repentance (Tawbah) . Forgiveness

If a man commits the murder of an innocent human being, how does Allah forgive the act and murderer even with sincere repentance of the act?

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 6 years ago

There is no doubt that killing a human being is one of the most
dangerous major sins. But we read in the Holy Qur'an in chapter 39 Surah Zomar, verse 53 : "O My servants who have transgressed themselves
(by committing evil deeds and major sins) despair not of the mercy of
Allah . Verily Allah forgives all the sins. Truly He is oft
forgiving, most merciful'.

Any sinner who sincerely repents and seeks forgiveness, Allah (SWT)
who knows what is in the hearts has mentioned in the Holy Qur'an that
He forgives all sins. That does not mean wasting the rights of the
victims' family which is ordained in Islam. But as far as the
relationship between the sinner and Allah (SWT) is concerned, Allah (SWT)
forgives all those who repent sincerely.

Wassalaam.

56434

Sin . Heaven . Divine Judgement . Forgiveness

Does it say in the Quran that the righteous will have their minor sins forgiven? Some say that people will first be punished for their sins and then they will go to heaven on Judgement Day. What is the correct view of this matter?

There are many Qur'anic verses that state that the righteous will be
granted forgiveness on the day of judgment.

In Surah Ibrahim verse 41 ( O my Lord ! Forgive me and my parents and
the believers on the day of judgment).

Also in Surah al-Ma'idah verse 9: Allah (SWT), has promised those who believed and did good, that for them there is forgiveness and a great reward.

Also in Surah Aal-e-Imran verse 136 : For them reward is forgiveness from their Lord
and gardens with rivers flowing underneath.

Many other verses also state the righteous believers will be granted
forgiveness on the day of judgment.

Major sins are not like minors sins and a person who committed sins and repented is not like a person who insisted on committing sins until death. There are people who get
forgiveness for all their sins because of their sincere intentions and very
good deeds. But there are people who will get punished on the day of
judgment and after their punishment, they will be sent to Paradise.

It all depends upon the degree of sincerity and good deeds.

Wassalaam

50970

Sin . Forgiveness

Can any spiritual leader claim that he has the authority to forgive the sins of a person?

This claim is not only wrong but it shows that the person ( not a prophet or his Infallible deputy) who claims it is trying to mislead people and misuse their religious feelings .

People should be told to be aware and away from such persons. Such so called "spiritual leaders" were mentioned in Quran :O YOU WHO BELIEVE, VERILY, MANY OF RABBIS AND MONKS DEVOUR THE WEALTH OF PEOPLE IN FALSE WAYS AND HINDER FROM THE WAY OF ALLAH) Sura Al-Tawba, verse 34.

Wassalam.

Sin . Forgiveness

Can any spiritual leader claim that he has the authority to forgive the sins of a person?

Amina Inloes, Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the... Answered 6 years ago

The Qur'an is rather clear that everyone is responsible before Allah for his/her sins. While we may hope for intercession from the Prophet (S) or others, and it is fine to pray that other people be forgiven, it is not possible for one person to stand in for Allah and make the decision to forgive their sins.

We might sometimes get an idea that someone has been forgiven for something and reassure them, but it is not our place to issue a guarantee that this person has been forgiven.

(In cases where the Prophet and Imams told people they were forgiven, it is because they had knowledge from Allah that these people were forgiven, not that they personally engaged in the act of forgiveness on behalf of Allah.)

I would be rather skeptical about someone who claims to have this authority!

55178

Forgiveness . Conversion to Islam

I converted 14 years ago when I was 16. I have a lot of tattoos and I had a child with my husband before we got married. I started to follow Islam properly this year and I am concerned for the implications of my actions. Can Allah forgive me?

Zaid Alsalami, Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from... Answered 6 years ago

Bismihi ta'ala

It is not forbidden per se to have tattoos, and therefore you have not committed a sin. In our Shi'a jurisprudence having a tattoo is something reprehended (makruh).

You are not only blessed with following Islam, but also blessed with following a path that is founded on mercy and compassion. Almighty God forgives sins and wrongdoings, and in addition to forgiving He also wipes our slate clean. When you reverted to Islam, it was like you are a newborn, free of any sin, with no past. And you will continue to have such opportunities, as long as you stay enlightened in spiritual progress and work on your self to become a better person. Ultimately, this is the goal that all of us anticipate and want.

With prayers for your success.

54493

Forgiveness

How can one ask for forgiveness in a situation where one feels like they may have been the villain and the other person was innocent?

Forgiveness gate is open for every believer who sincerely repents and decides not to do the wrong again and seeks forgiveness. If some one was victimized, it will be obligatory to return his right to him and make him pardon you. With out returning the right of the victim, it will be difficult to get forgiveness. If it becomes impossible to get pardon from the victim, then doing good deeds and gifting it to him might help.

Wassalam.

48696

God (Allah) . Forgiveness . Sin

Assalamu Alaikum wa

Mateen Charbonneau, Sheikh Mateen Joshua Charbonneau achieved a certificate from Harvard University in Islamic Studies. He undertook Howza classes under esteemed scholars since 2013 and has been teaching at Imam Mahdi... Answered 6 years ago

The first step is to seek Allah’s forgiveness. Then one should make a determination not to do that action again.

If the sin is between him and people depending on the situation he may need to settle that with the person also as if he took some property from another for example.

Some sins require some extra actions such as kaffara like in the case of breaking ones obligatory fasting intentionaly for example.

48311

Forgiveness . Du'a (Supplication)

What is the dua for seeking forgiveness?

Mahmood Abu Maryam, Trying to make sense of it all... Answer updated 6 years ago

One may say that the best du'a for forgiveness is the one preserved in the immutable text of the Qur'an 7:23 in the following words:

قَالَا رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَا أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ

They said, "Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers."

There are also many other supplications (ad'iya) available to any Muslim seeking forgiveness from Allah (swt) for one's sins and shortcomings. Many beautiful and eloquent expressions have been taught by the Prophet Muhammad (s) and his family the Ahl al-Bayt (a).

For instance, check out this Du'a of Repentance taught by Imam 'Ali Zayn al-'Abidin (a) who was the son of Imam al-Husayn b. 'Ali (a) and the fourth Imam.

47416

Husband . Wife . God (Allah) . Forgiveness

If a husband does not accept a wife's sincere apologies will Allah forgive the wife if she repents?

Rebecca Masterton, Dr Rebecca Masterton graduated with a BA in Japanese Language and Literature; an MA in Comparative East Asian and African Literature and a PhD in Islamic literature of West Africa. She has been... Answered 6 years ago

According to narrations it is obligatory to accept someone's apology, even if you may even suspect that it is not sincere; however, there need to be more details given about this particular case in order to give the correct answer.