Seeking Forgiveness and Remembering God: A Great Act of Nearness
The significance of seeking forgiveness and remembering Allah ﷻ cannot be overstated in the lives of Muslims. Allah ﷻ has ordained seeking forgiveness for His servants, as He says in the Quran: "And seek forgiveness of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful" [Surah Al-Muzzammil: 20].
Therefore, seeking forgiveness is among the most virtuous acts of worship, and the servant remains in dire need of it. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, "Verily, I seek forgiveness from Allah ﷻ seventy times a day," emphasizing the importance of seeking forgiveness in the life of a Muslim.
It is incumbent upon believers to increase in seeking forgiveness and remembrance of Allah ﷻ in their daily lives, as it holds immense goodness within it. Allah ﷻ says: "O you who have believed, remember Allah with much remembrance, and exalt Him morning and afternoon" [Surah Al-Ahzab: 41-42]. The Prophet ﷺ mentioned in an authentic Hadith that those who remember Allah ﷻ frequently are "the ones who remember Allah often, and the women who remember."
Furthermore, the Prophet ﷺ mentioned in a famous Hadith the virtue of the supplication known as "Sayyid al-Istighfar" (the master of seeking forgiveness). In this supplication, the servant humbly acknowledges Allah's ﷻ lordship and seeks His forgiveness, recognizing his own weaknesses and shortcomings.
Shaddad bn Aus reported Allah’s messenger ﷺ said: "The best manner of asking pardon is to say, “O Allah, Thou art my Lord. There is no god but Thee. Thou hast created me, and I am Thy servant and hold to Thy covenant and promise as much as I can. I seek refuge in Thee from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge Thy favour to me, and I acknowledge my sin. Pardon me, for none but Thee pardons sins.” He said that if anyone says it during the day-time with firm belief in it and dies that day before evening, he will be one of those who go to paradise; and if anyone says it during the night with firm belief in it and dies before morning, he will be one of those who go to paradise.
If the believer adheres to sincere repentance and seeks forgiveness, Allah ﷻ opens the doors of mercy and blessings for him, as He promises: "And whoever is mindful of Allah, He will make a way out for them, and provide for them from sources they could never imagine" [Surah At-Talaq: 2-3].
In conclusion, believers should make seeking forgiveness and remembering God ﷻ an integral part of their daily lives, as therein lies great goodness and closeness to Allah ﷻ.
