ON TRUSTWORTHINESS AND REPENTANCE

It is narrated on the authority of Muhammad ibn al-Munkadir who said: I heard my father saying: while Sufyân ath-Thaurîrahimahullâh was circuiting the Ka‘bah, he saw a person sending salutations to the Prophet at every step that he took. I said to him: “O person! You are not saying the tasbîh (glorification of Allâh) nor the tahlîl (to say that there is none worthy of worship butAllâh), yet you are fully engrossed in sending salutations to the Prophet . Do you have any reason for this?” He asked: “MayAllâh protect you, who are you?” I replied: “I am Sufyân ath-Thaurî.” He said: “Were it not for the fact that you are among the most pious personalities of your time, I would not inform you about myself nor would I share my secret with you.” He then said to me: “My father and I left in order to perform the pilgrimage to the House of Allâh . On our journey, my father fell ill. I tended to him, but he eventually passed away. When he passed away, his face turned dark in colour. So I said to my self: ‘To Allâh we belong and to Him is our return.’ I then covered his face. Sleep overtook me and I slept with much grief. In my sleep, I saw a man – I never saw a person more handsome than him, wearing cleaner clothes than him, and having a better fragrance than him. He walked forward until he came to my father. He uncovered his face, passed his hand over his face and it immediately became illuminated. He then turned around to go back. So I held on to his garment and asked: ‘O servant of Allâh! Who are you thatAllâh has been so kind to my father through you, in this strange land?’ He replied: ‘Don’t you know me? I am Muhammad ibn ‘Abdillâh [], the person to whom the Qur’ân was revealed. Your father used to commit excesses against himself, but he used to send abundant salutations to me. So when this calamity [of his face turning dark due to sins] afflicted him, he sought help from me. I come to the assistance of those who send abundant salutations to me.’ I then got up from my sleep and saw that my father’s face had become illuminated.’”

‘Amr ibn Dînâr narrates on the authority of Abû Ja‘far that the Prophet said: “The person who forgets to send salutations to me has in fact lost the path to Paradise.”

You should know that the word amânah (trustworthiness) is derived from the word amn. When a person possesses this quality of amânah he is safe from refusing to fulfil the truth. The opposite of this is khiyânah (treachery, cheating). This word is derived from the word khawan which means a shortfall or a shortcoming. If you cheat someone in anything, you have actually caused a shortfall or shortcoming to him. The Messenger of Allâh said: “Deception, betrayal and treachery will all be in the Hell-fire.” The Messenger of Allâh said: “He who deals with people without wronging them, and speaks to them without lying to them, then he is from among those whose sense of honour is complete, whose justice has become obvious, and whose brothers is incumbent.”

A Bedouin praised a people by saying: “They are extremely fond of trustworthiness. They therefore do not act treacherously when they are given a responsibility. They do not encroach on the sanctity of a Muslim, therefore no responsibility remains unfulfilled by them. They are therefore the best of peoples.” I [Imâm Ghazzâlî rahimahullâh] say: “These people whom the Bedouin praised have long expired. Therefore, all that we see today are wolves in clothing.” A poet says:

“On whom can a person rely when he has any problem? From where can an honourable, free person find a [true] friend when people, except a few, have become wolves on whose bodies is clothing?”

Another poet says:

“Those people have long gone, who, at the time of their death, it is said: ‘If only the lands and all that is in them were reduced to bits.’”

Hudhayfah says that the Messenger of Allâh said: “Trustworthiness will be raised [removed from society]. People will engage in transactions with each other and hardly anyone from among them will fulfil the trusts. [Trustworthiness will become so rare] that people will say: ‘In such and such family there is a trustworthy person.’”

You should know that repentance is incumbent based on certain verses of the Qur’ân and certain Ahâdîth. Allâh says: “Repent to Allâh altogether, O believers, perhaps you will be successful.” [58] This is an order that is all-encompassing. Allâh says: “O believers! Turn to Allâh in repentance with a sincere repentance.” [59] The word “sincere” means totally devoted to Allâh , free from all taints. The following verse portrays the merit of repentance. Allâh says: “Surely Allâh loves those who repent and He loves those who keep themselves pure.” [60] The Messenger of Allâh said: “A repentant person is the beloved of Allâh , and the person who repents from a sin is like one who has no sin whatsoever.” The Messenger of Allâh said: “Allâh is more pleased with the repentance of a believing person than a person who [was travelling and] stopped over at a deserted and destructive spot together with his camel on which was all his food and drink. He places his head in order to rest and falls asleep. When he gets up, he sees that his camel [together with all his possessions] has disappeared. He goes in search of it till the intense heat, thirst and whatever else Allâh imposes upon him [forces him to return to the original spot]. He says to himself: ‘I will return to my original spot [where I lost my camel] and I will sleep away till I die.’ And so, he places his head on his forearm in order to die. He then wakes up and sees his camel right in front of him, with all his food and drink on it. So Allâh is far more happier with the repentance of a believing person than this traveller with finding his camel.”

It is narrated on the authority of al-Hasan that when Allâh accepted the repentance of Âdam , the angels congratulated him, Jibra’îl and Mîkâ’îl came down to him and said: “O Âdam! May you rejoice with Allâh’s acceptance of your repentance.” Âdam said: “O Jibra’îl! If after this repentance there is any question, then what is my position?” Allâh revealed to him saying: “O Âdam! You have given your progeny the legacy of tiredness and fatigue while I have given them the legacy of repentance. So whoever from among them calls to Me, I will respond to his call just as I responded to your call. Whoever asks me for forgiveness, I will not be niggardly towards him for I am extremely close, and I accept repentance. O Âdam! I raise the repentant ones from their graves while they are rejoicing and laughing. And their supplications are accepted.”

The Messenger of Allâh said: “Allâh extends His hand with repentance to the person who commits a sin at night till the morning, and for him who commits sin during the day till the night. [Allâh will continue doing so] till the sun rises from the west [shortly before the resurrection].” Extension of the hand is an allusion to seeking repentance. The person who seeks repentance is beyond he who is still approaching to seek repentance. This is because at times the one who is approaching is not really seeking. As for he who is seeking repentance, he has already passed the stage of approaching [to seek repentance].

The Messenger of Allâh said: “If you were to commit sins to the extent that they reach the skies and then you express remorse [over committing them], Allâh will accept your repentance.”

The Messenger of Allâh said: “A person commits a sin and goes to Paradise on account of it.” He was asked: “How is that possible, O Messenger of Allâh?” He replied: “His attention is directed towards repenting and fleeing from that sin until he enters Paradise.”

The Messenger of Allâh said: “The expiation for sinning is to be remorseful.”

The Messenger of Allâh said: “The person who repents from a sin is like one who has committed no sin.”

It is related that an Abyssinian asked: “O Messenger of Allâh! I used to commit acts of immorality. Is there repentance for me?” He replied: “Yes.” This Abyssinian turned away and then returned and asked: “O Messenger of Allâh! When I used to commit these immoral acts, was Allâh watching me?” He replied: “Yes.” This Abyssinian screamed out with such force that he passed away in the process.

It is related that when Allâh cursed Satan, he asked Him for respite. So Allâh gave him respite till the day of resurrection. He said: “By Your honour, I will come out of the heart of mankind as long as there is life in him.” Allâh said: “By My honour and My greatness, I will give mankind the veil of repentance as long as there is life in him.”

The Messenger of Allâh said: “Good deeds wipe out evil deeds just as water washes off filth.”

Sa‘îd ibn al-Musayyib relates that Allâh revealed the following verse with regard to a person who used to sin, then repent, sin again and repent again. The verse is: “He forgives those who turn to Him.” [61]

Al-Fudayl rahimahullâh said: “Allâh says: ‘Give glad tidings to the sinners that when they repent, I accept their repentance. And warn the truthful that if I were to remove from them My justice, I would punish them.”

‘Abdullâh ibn ‘Umar said: “The person who thinks of a sin [which he committed], feels pain for committing it, and his heart trembles at it, then such a sin is wiped out from his book of deeds.”

It is related that a Prophet committed a mistake. Allâh revealed to him saying: “By My honour, if you commit that mistake again I will punish you.” The Prophet said: “O my Sustainer! You are You, and I am I [a human]. By Your honour, if You do not protect me, I will certainly commit that mistake again.” And so, Allâh protected him.

It is related that a person asked Ibn Mas‘ûd about a sin by which he was pained, if there was the possibility of repentance for him. Ibn Mas‘ûd turned away from him. He then turned towards him and saw that his eyes were tearing. He said to him: “Paradise has eight gates – all of them are opened and closed except for the gate of repentance. This gate has an angel that is appointed over it. It is never closed. You should therefore continue in your [good] deeds and do not despair.”

It is related that there was a youngster in the Banî Isrâ’îl who worshipped Allâh for 20 years. He then disobeyed Allâh for 20 years. He then looked at himself in the mirror and saw grey hairs in his beard. He did not like what he saw. He said: “O myAllâh! I obeyed You for 20 years. I then disobeyed You for 20 years. If I return to You, will You accept me?” He heard a voice without seeing who it was: “When you loved Us, We loved you. When you left Us, We left you. When you disobeyed Us, We gave you respite. If you return to Us, We will accept you.”

It is related on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbâs that the Messenger of Allâh said: “When a person turns in repentance to Allâh ,Allâh accepts his repentance and He causes the angels who record his deeds to forget the sins which they had recorded, and He causes his body parts to forget the evil deeds which they committed, and He causes the place in the earth and the sky to also forget. Allâh does all this so that he may come to Him on the day of resurrection without anyone or anything from the creation being able to testify against him.”

It is related on the authority of ‘Alî that the Prophet said: “Four thousand years before the creation could be created, the following was inscribed around the throne of Allâh : ‘I am extremely forgiving to the person who repents, believes, does good deeds, and remains on guidance.’”

You should know that to repent from both major and minor sins immediately is an incumbent duty. Persisting in committing minor sins causes them to be enumerated among major sins. Allâh says:

“Those who, when they commit an open sin or commit an evil to themselves, they remember Allâh and seek forgiveness for their sins. And who is there that forgives sins except Allâh? And they do not persist in what they have done while they know.” [62]

A sincere repentance entails a person repenting externally and internally, expressing remorse, and having no intention of repeating that sin. The similitude of a person who repents outwardly only is like that of a dunghill over which a sheet of silk is spread. People look at it and admire it. But once the sheet is removed, [and they see what is beneath it], they turn away in disgust. In like manner, people look at those who portray outward obedience. When the veil is uncovered on the day of resurrection, the day when secrets are exposed, the angels will turn away in disgust from them. It is for this reason that the Messenger of Allâh said: “Allâh does not look at your outward appearances, rather He looks at your hearts.”

Ibn ‘Abbâs said: “Many a repentant person will come on the day of resurrection thinking that he is a repentant person but he is not really a repentant person. This is because he did not fortify the doors of repentance with remorse, the determination not to repeat that sin, the determination to redress the wrongs that he did to people if possible, and to seek to absolve himself from them if possible, if not, to engage in abundant forgiveness for himself and for them so that they may be pleased with him.” Forgetting sins is one of the vilest of evils. It is therefore the duty of an intelligent person to take account of himself and not to forget his sins. A poet says:

“O sinner who can count his sins. Do not forget your sins and remember all your past sins. Repent to Allâh before death [overtakes you]. Reprimand yourself, O disobedient one. And confess [your sins] if you really have to confess them.”

The jurist, Abû al-Layth rahimahullâh, narrates: ‘Umar went crying to the Messenger of Allâh . The Messenger of Allâh asked him: “Why are you crying, O ‘Umar?” He replied: “O Messenger of Allâh! There is a youth by the door who has burnt my heart by his crying.” The Messenger of Allâh said: “Bring him in, O ‘Umar!” The youth came inside while he was still crying. The Messenger of Allâh asked him: “Why are you crying, O youth?” He replied: “O Messenger of Allâh! The large number of sins is causing me to cry. And I fear the wrath of the Mighty [Allâh ] on me.” The Messenger of Allâh said: “Have you ascribed any partner to Allâh?” He replied: “No.” He asked: “Did you kill anyone with any just cause?” He replied: “No.” The Messenger ofAllâh said: “Allâh shall certainly forgive your sins even if they are equal to the seven heavens, the seven [layers] of earth and the mountains.” The youth said: “My sins are greater than that.” The Messenger of Allâh asked: “Are your sins greater or thekursî (chair of Allâh)?” He replied: “My sins.” The Messenger of Allâh asked: “Are your sins greater or the ‘arsh (throne ofAllâh)?” He replied: “My sins.” The Messenger of Allâh asked: “Are your sins greater or your Allâh, i.e. His pardon?” He replied: “Allâh is indeed greater and mightier.” The Messenger of Allâh said: “Well, none can forgive great sins except the Lord who is great, in other words, who is very great in His pardon.” The Messenger of Allâh then asked him: “Tell me about your sin.” He replied: “I am shy of you, O Messenger of Allâh!” He said: “Even then, tell me.” The youth said: “O Messenger ofAllâh! I used to excavate graves for the last seven years. When one young girl from the Ansâr passed away, I excavated her grave, took her shroud and continued for a short distance. Satan then overpowered me and so I returned to her and engaged in sexual intercourse with her. I then continued for a short distance when the very same girl stood up and said: ‘Woe to you, O youth! Are you not ashamed of Allâh who takes the wrong doer to task on behalf of the one who has been wronged? You have left me here naked among the dead, and you left me in a state of impurity before Allâh ?” [On hearing this], the Messenger of Allâh jumped up and pushed him saying: “O sinner! You are certainly deserving of the Hell-fire. Get away from me.” The youth left in repentance before Allâh for 40 days. On the completion of 40 days, he raised his head towards the heavens and said: “O theAllâh of Muhammad, Âdam and Ibrâhîm! If You have forgiven me, then inform Muhammad and his Companions [that You have forgiven me]. If not, send down a fire from the skies and burn me with it and save me from the punishment of the hereafter.” Jibra’îl came down to the Prophet and said: “O Muhammad! Your Sustainer conveys greetings to you and asks you: ‘Have you created the creation?’ The Messenger of Allâh replied: “Rather it is He who created me and them, and provided for me and for them.” Jibra’îl said: “Allâh says: ‘I have accepted the repentance of the youth.’” The Prophet then called the youth and gave him the glad tidings that Allâh accepted his repentance.

It is related that there was a person during the era of Mûsâ who could not remain steadfast on his repentance. Each time he repented, he broke it. He remained in this way for 20 years. Allâh revealed to Mûsâ saying: “Say to such and such servant of Mine that I am angry with him.” Mûsâ conveyed this message to the person. The latter became grieved and went away into the desert saying: “O my Allâh! Is Your mercy finished or has my disobedience harmed You? Have the treasures of Your pardon become empty or are You acting stingily towards Your servants? Which sin can be greater than Your pardon whereas kindness is from among Your ancient attributes while wickedness is from among my recent attributes? Can my attribute overpower Your attribute? If You veil Your mercy from Your servants, in whom can they hope from? If You repulse them, to whom can they go to? O my Allâh! If Your mercy is finished and there is no alternative but to punish me, hold back from all Your servants for I have ransomed myself for them.” Allâh said to Mûsâ : “Go to him and tell him this: ‘If your sins were to fill the entire earth, I would forgive you your sins for you have recognized Me as a being who possesses absolute power, pardon and mercy.”

The Messenger of Allâh said: “There is no sound more beloved to Allâh than the sound of a sinful person seeking repentance, saying: ‘O my Sustainer.’ Allâh replies: ‘Here I am O my servant! Ask whatever you want. In My sight, you are like some of My angels. I am to your right, to your left, above you, and very close to the depths of your heart.’ O My angels! Bear witness that I have forgiven him.’”

Dhû an-Nûn Misrî rahimahullâh said: Allâh has servants who planted trees of sins like weak hearts. They then irrigated these hearts with the water of repentance. They then bore the fruits of remorse and grief. They then became insane without any insanity, and foolish with neither foolishness nor dumbness. In fact, they are the eloquent and articulate persons who have truly recognized Allâh and His Messenger . They then drank with the cup of purity and thereby inherited patience despite lengthy periods of trials and tribulations. Their hearts then became infatuated with sovereignty [of Allâh ] and their thoughts began delving in the secrets of the might [of Allâh ]. They then sought shade beneath the tents of remorse and they read the record of misdeeds. This caused their souls to tremble till they reached the high mantles of asceticism by accepting piety. In so doing, even the bitterness of abstaining from the world seemed sweet to them and even the coarseness of their resting place seemed soft and comfortable to them. They eventually attained the rope of salvation and the knot of peace and security. Their souls then proceeded freely in the lofty positions till they settled down in the gardens of bliss. They dived in the sea of life and filled up the trenches of fear. They crossed the bridges of desires till they disembarked in the courtyard of knowledge. They drank from the fountain of wisdom, they boarded the ship of intelligence, they set sail with the winds of salvation in the sea of peace till they reached the gardens of comfort and the source of honour and dignity [Allâh ].