Repentance - Astaghfar

Man has been made to err and it is the Divine blessing that forgives an erred man as if nothing bad has ever taken place. Though it looks so simple on the face of it, it isn't for everyone neither repents nor asks for forgiveness from one's heart. 

Repentance in Arabic is called "Astaghfar" - asking forgiveness of one's bad deeds, sins "Directly from ALLAH," with a solemn pledge NOT to repeat the sin or foul thing one has committed. For it is no one other than Allah, the creator of this universe, who has the sole authority and divine power to forgive someone earnestly ashamed of one's sins and misdeeds and seeking Allah's forgiveness, for it is Allah alone who on Day of Judgement would decide the ultimate fate of a man either to dwell happily in the gardens of paradise or burn in pain everyday in the blazing fire of hell.

Scroll down for a video that explains how one can know if his repentance / Tawba has been accepted.

Allah promises the believers that those who wholeheartedly confess and sincerely repent, would be forgiven:

“But whosoever repents after his crime and does righteous good deeds (by obeying Allah), then verily, Allah will pardon him (accept his repentance). Verily, Allah is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful." [Surah al-Maa’idah 5:39]  

The first act of sin ever committed by Prophet Adam and his wife Hawwa (Eve), when they enticed by condemned Satan ate the fruit of the tree they had been forbidden to go near by Allah. When they both realized what had they done, they repented earnestly and begged to forgiven for the sin they had committed. And Allah did forgive them:

“Then they both ate of that tree, and so their private parts appeared to them, and they began to stick on themselves the leaves from Paradise for their covering.  Thus did Adam disobey his Lord, so he went astray.  Then his Lord chose him, and turned to him with forgiveness and gave him guidance.” (Quran 20:121-122)

Even when Prophet Younis (peace be upon him) abandoned his people in disgust and boarded a ship which ran into to rough seas and he was thrown off board as a means to please angry gods, he had to repeatedly plead guilty when swallowed by a big fish and repented: “Oh my Lord! I have made a place of prayer where nobody else has even worshiped you.” [Surah Al-Anbya]. Thus Allah accepted his Tawba and the fish came ashore and vomited him out alive and unhurt. “So We answered his call, and delivered him from the distress. And thus We do deliver the believers (who believe in the Oneness of Allah, abstain from evil and work righteousness.)” (Surah Al-Anbya 21:88) 

Thus we see all those who repented and begged for forgiveness, Allah did forgave them. In Surah Az-Zumar [39:53] Allah says: Tell them, (O Prophet): “My servants who have committed excesses against themselves, do not despair of Allah's Mercy. Surely Allah forgives all sins. He is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful."

In the Book of Hadeeth [Muslim], Al-Agharr ibn Yasar al-Muzani is quoted has been saying that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the last Messenger of Allah said: “O people! Turn in repentance towards Allah and ask His forgiveness. I turn towards Him a hundred times a day.”

So what do we do when we err, sin or do a wrong thing? Here are four steps one should so straightaway:

• Refrain from recommitting a sin or misdeed immediately.
• Regret from the heart of the heart for the sin so committed.
• Beg for mercy and forgiveness from Allah (glorified and exalted be He).
• Take a solemn pledge never to return to any sin or wrongdoing again.

Here it must be remembered that the sin / wrongdoing or transgression involved infringes on the rights of other (s), then one must return the infringed rights back to the individual to whom they belong. And then thereafter, try one's level best not to sin, err, or do a thing that is contrary to teachings of Islam.

Now watch the video below to know what are the indicators that one's repentance has been accepted - a thought provoking lecture by Dr Zakir Naik:

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The Miraculous Journey of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to Jerusalem (Israa) and Heavens (Mairaj)

Just a year before migration (Hijrah) of Prophet Muhammad (peace by upon him - ﷺ) from Makkah to Medina, a miracle took place when Allah had the prophet toured Masjid Al Aqsa in Jerusalem and from their his accession to the seven skies and Heavens when Allah spoke to Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)  with a hijab in between. His flight at night from Makkah to Jerusalem is called as "Israa (In Arabic Israa means walking or traveling at night)" and his accession to Heavens is known as Mairaj (in Arabic Mairaj means ladder, rising or accession). This miraculous journey happened on the night of 27 Rajab, 621 CE.

The event is described in the Holy Qur'an as under:

Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al- Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing." (Al Qur'an Surah Al Israa 17:1)

As later revealed by Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) himself to his companions, he was taken on a heavenly steed called "Buraq" brought by Angel Jibraeel (Gabriel) from Makkah to the farthest mosque in Jerusalem. The mosque is quoted to be the Masjid Al Aqsa, the first Qibla or the direction in which Muslims were asked to offer their prayers. From here Angel Jibraeel and Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) ascended to the Heavens and had the honour of speaking directly to Allah Almighty.

The event of Mairaj is mentioned in Qur'an not directly but those who can correlate the events can best understand the Heavenly language:

"And [remember, O Muhammad], when We told you, "Indeed, your Lord has encompassed the people." And We did not make the sight which We showed you except as a trial for the people, as was the accursed tree [mentioned] in the Qur'an. And We threaten them, but it increases them not except in great transgression." (Al Quran Surah Al Israa 17:60)

And he certainly saw him in another descent,
At the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary -
Near it is the Garden of Refuge -
When there covered the Lote Tree that which covered [it].
The sight [of the Prophet] did not swerve, nor did it transgress [its limit].
He certainly saw of the greatest signs of his Lord.
(Al Qur'an Surah Al Najm 53:13–18)

Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) offed prayers at a place of Prophet Musa (Moses) and then Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) lead a prayer at Masjid al Aqsa which was attended by a number of exalted prophets like Prophets Ibraheem (Abraham), Musa (Moses) and Eesa (Jesus), peace be upon them all.  

From the same place, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was taken up to the Heavens by Angel Jibraeel and shown the seven levels of the sky and Heavens. At each level Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) met the most revered prophets:  At the first level he met the father of all prophets Adam, followed by Prophet Zackariah (John the Baptist and Prophet Eesa (Jesus), Prophet Yousaf (Joseph), Prophet Idris, Prophet Haroun (Aaron), Prophet Musa (Moses) and last Prophet Ibraheem (Abraham).

After the prayer, Angel Jibraeel (Gabriel) brought two bowls; one of had wine and the other had milk, and asked to “Have either of them!" Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) chose the milk. Angel Jibraeel said to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), "You chose the natural one; if you had chosen the wine, your ummah would have gone astray after you. You were led to the natural state by choosing the milk; your ummah was led to the natural state, too. Wine was rendered haram (forbidden) for you!” 

Thereafter, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) visited Bayt al Mamoor (the much frequented house), which seventy thousand angels visited every day. This was followed by visit to to Sidra al-Muntaha (Lote Tree of the Extremity). Sidra al-Muntaha is a tree the roots of which are on the sixth level with branches all over the seventh level, thus providing a shadow that covers the whole sky and Paradise; its leaves are like elephant ears and its fruits are like large jars.

Form thereafter, Angel Jibraeel told the prophet that from then on he was to travel alone to the seventh level as his wings would burn from the Noor (Light) of the Allah Almighty. There on the seventh level, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)  met his Creator Allah the Almighty with a hijab in between, though at some places it is mentioned that Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)  met Allah face to face. This seems a little exaggeration as Allah is not a human form but a source of immense light as was witnessed by Prophet Musa (Moses) at Jabl e Toor when he received the famous Ten Commandments.

Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)  is also said to have toured the Heaven and Hell and was shown how the blessed and the cursed will live their lives in hereafter. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)  was also asked by Allah that all Muslims should pray for 50 times a day. When he descended and Prophet Mus asked him what he brought for his followers, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)  replied: 50 prayers. To this Prophet Musa asked Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)  to go back as his followers will not able to pray 50 times a day. Prophet Muhammad (?) went and had the prayers reduced to 45 times. Once again Prophet Musa showed his reservation and asked to Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)  to have the number reduced. This continued till the number was finally reduced to five. Although Prophet Musa still insisted for a further reduction, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)  replied that he would fell embarrassed for any more request. Thus Muslims since then offer prayers five times a day, though some still not completing the total count as appreciated by Prophet Musa.

Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) then descended to place of Masjid Al Aqsa where he had tied the heavenly steed Buraq at the gate of the masjid, mounted on Buraq and returned to Makkah. The entire journey took place between the the night prayer and the morning prayer. This is just a shortened description of Israa and Mairaj. For complete details you may consult the sites given in reference.

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Prayers (As Salat)

Believers of all religion have their places of worship which they go to to attend routine religious sermons or bowing their heads to their Creator. The Jews go to the Synagogues, the Christians attend the Churches and Muslims got to the Masjids (mosques) to offer their prayers and thank the Almighty Allah for the blessings bestowed upon them and seek forgiveness of the sins they may have committed.

While in other religions, the attendance is usually once a week, the Muslims have to bow their heads in front of their Creator five times a day. Although the offering of prayers in a masjid is much preferred, the midday prayer on Fridays is mandatory to be offered in the special Friday congregation in masjid.

The prayer (Salah in Arabic), which should generally take 5-10 minutes each, establishes a direct link between a Muslim and Allah with no one in between. The five times exclusively set for prayers start before dawn, noon, afternoon, just after sunset and late at night. The complete cycle thus begins a Muslim's day with a prayer and ends with a prayer with three other prayers at varying intervals during day with the movement of sun.

At a number of places in the Qur'an, Allah has commanded believers to offer prayers for prayers directly connect a believer to Allah:

اِنَّنِىۡۤ اَنَا اللّٰهُ لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّاۤ اَنَا فَاعۡبُدۡنِىۡ ۙ وَاَقِمِ الصَّلٰوةَ لِذِكۡرِىۡ‏ 

"Verily I am Allah. There is no god beside Me. So, serve Me and establish Prayers to remember Me." (Surah 20 Ta Ha :14) 

This is the real object of Salat. It has been prescribed to remind people that they should not become neglectful of Allah by worldly diversions and that they should remember that man is not an unbridled free being but a servant of Allah. Salat has been prescribed five times a day to remind man of Allah’s presence.

The five prayers are offered before dawn, noon, midafternoon, just after sunset and then at night.

Once a man asked the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) about the most virtuous deed. The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated that the most virtuous deed is prayer. The man asked again and again. The first three times, the Prophet (peace be upon him) again answered, "The prayer," then on the fourth occasion he stated, "Jihad in the way of Allah." [This is from a hadith recorded by Ahmad and ibn Hibban. According to al-Albani, the hadith is hasan. Muhammad Nasir al-Din al-Albani, Sahih al-Targheeb wa al-Tarheeb (Beirut: al-Maktab al-Islami, 1982), vol. 1, p. 150]

The importance of offering prayers can be gauged from one of the saying of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him):

"The first matter that the slave will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound. And if it is bad, then the rest of his deeds will be bad." [Recorded by al-Tabarani. According to al-Albani, it is sahih. Al-Albani, Sahih al-Jami, vol.1, p. 503.

Since prayers are obligatory, these have to be offered no matter where one is. If a masjid is nearby, it is better performed there. But in case a masjid is not nearby, it can be offered anywhere, be it one's home, office or any place of work. Even one is not allowed to miss a a prayer when traveling. However for travelers a 50% concession is given in their numbers.

The prayers are a type of purification for a human being. He turns and meets with his Lord five times a day. As alluded to above, this repeated standing in front of Allah should keep the person from performing sins during the day. Furthermore, it should also be a time of remorse and repentance, such that he earnestly asks Allah for forgiveness for those sins that he committed. In addition, the prayer in itself is a good deed that wipes away some of the evil deeds that he performed. These points can be noted in the following hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him):

"If a person had a stream outside his door and he bathed in it five times a day, do you think he would have any filth left on him?" The people said, "No filth would remain on him whatsoever." The Prophet (peace be upon him) then said, "That is like the five daily prayers: Allah wipes away the sins by them." (Recorded by al-Bukhari and Muslim.)

Ablution is a must before offering a prayer. One has to be clean to offer a prayer physically as well as the clothes one is wearing. One has to take a bath in case of performance of marital engagement. In case the water is not available, one can cleanse oneself with dust called Tayammum. 

You may refer to our reference page: As Salat / Prayers for any Q&A you may have with regard to prayers.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.  

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

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Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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