Guilt

200396

I borrowed someone’s pen during an exam without permission for a quick correction, and now I feel guilty. I do not know who it belonged to, so I cannot ask for forgiveness. What should I do in this situation?

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 5 months ago

If you have no way at all to know the owner, you give the item or its value in Sadaqa on behalf of the owner and pray for him.

Wassalam.

192316

Guilt . Forgiveness . Repentance (Tawbah) . Sin

Is it allowed for a person to perform Tawbah whenever they feel guilt over their sins, such as wasting time or not seeking forgiveness, on a weekly basis, or would this not be viewed as sincere repentance?

Seeking forgiveness is required always especially after committing a sinful act or remembering it. It can be a daily process especially before and after obligatory Prayers and in the night especially on the last part of the night (Sahar time). It can be also every week on the Eve of Friday (Lailatul Jumu'ah) or on every Friday.

Wassalam.

190211

Marriage . Divorce . Children . Mother . Brother . Time . Domestic violence . Guilt . Hell

After enduring 20 years in an abusive marriage, that ended in divorce, and raising my children alone, why do I still feel guilty and fear hell, especially when my mother and brother don't accept me and consistently make me feel bad whenever we interact?

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... Answer updated 1 year ago

I am sorry to hear about your situation.

This is probably due to the psychology of being in an abusive marriage; possibly the abuser always said directly or indirectly that whatever happens is your fault. (Unfortunately, other people in society will also blame the woman, even if the husband is responsible for his choices.)

Also, in life, we internalize an internal judgmental voice (like a "parent") which judges us based on the social norms that we absorb from other people. This inner voice will continue to judge us even if those people are no longer around (and, in this case, it sounds like there are people who may still be actively reinforcing these ideas).

Many Muslim women, especially in our generation and above, internalized a voice that said that being a good Muslim woman means being married and having children, and a woman who gets divorced is bad. This idea is more about social expectations (or wanting the security of a marriage for a daughter) rather than Allah or faith.

However, it is common for Muslim women who grew up around these ideas to deal with guilt after divorce, and it can take time to revise one's ideas about what is genuinely important before Allah and in the next life and offload social expectations that no longer serve us.

Sometimes this is also a way of processing trauma as well.

In all these cases, probably the best way to handle it is through qualified psychological counselling/therapy as well as reflection on what is really important in matters of faith. Sometimes, just identifying the issue is a step forward.

Wishing you the best!

187259

Hijab . Social Media . Guilt

Is it allowed for a Muslim to create a social media platform similar to Facebook or YouTube? Will I be accountable for the sins of someone who posts without wearing Hijab, considering it is impossible for me to monitor every post?

It is allowed for a Muslim to create a social media platform which can help spreading useful knowledge, but he has to monitor it to prevent misuse. If you know that your platform will be misused with out your control, then you should avoid making it open for misuse.

Wassalam.

181538

Sin . Guilt . Repentance (Tawbah) . Forgiveness

How can one handle committing a sin, repenting, falling back into it, and dealing with the guilt?

Repeating the same sin again means that repentance was not real . Real repenting means you decide not to commit the sin again. We need to think on the results of the sinful acts and avoid it once for all. Seeking forgiveness needs a firm decision not to do it again. We need to face ourselves and tackle our sinful desires because we will be in serious danger if we don't leave the sinful acts.

Seel help from Allah (SWT) to enable you to defeat Satan and sinful desires and repeat ASTAGHFIRULLAH RABBI WA ATOOBU ELAYH. But no foreguveness if keep on committing the sins.

Wassalam.

171959

Money . Food . Guilt

What should I do now if I feel guilty for not giving money to a little boy who asked me for food while I was busy, and I am afraid of how I will be held accountable in the hereafter?

Sayyed Muhammad Husaini Ragheb, Sayyed Muhammad Husaini Ragheb has a BA in Law from Guilan University, Iran and has also undertaken Hawzah studies in Qom. He used to be a Cultural Affairs director of Ethics Group of Al-Mustafa... Answered 1 year ago

You didn't ignore the child out of bad intentions, in fact the mere thing that you are thinking about it, shows that you want to help the needy in future. So ask Allah swt to help you next time do what is right in the appropriate time. As it is famous when one intends to give charity, Satan interferes and tries to prevent him. May Allah help us all do the right thing in its right time and way.

172597

Sin . Guilt . Forgiveness . Repentance (Tawbah)

Will Allah forgive me if I sincerely repent and feel genuine remorse for committing a sinful act out of desperation?

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 1 year ago

Bismihi ta'ala

Of course, Almighty God forgives all sins, when we turn to Him, and repent and seek forgiveness. The door of tawbah is always open, but we need to always be careful that we do not be deceived by shaytan, or turn sin into an ongoing habit, where we casually engage in haram.

Repentance is important, but it is also a blessing from God, as He knows our level of sincerity and remorse, and how we wish to change our ways, improve ourselves and avoid sin.

Strengthening our faith and will-power will make us strong enough not to return to haram as well.

And Allah knows best