The great effect of seeking the Forgiveness of Allâh and some of its benefits - I

The great effect of seeking the Forgiveness of Allâh and some of its benefits - I

It makes the slave used to continuous feeling of acknowledgement of his sin and omission, and decreasing the frequency of it leads to pride and boasting of the worship, as if he regards it as a favour to his Lord.

And, he who has this feeling, deserves Allâh's Hatred and repelling of his deeds, whatever they are. As regards the slave who seeks the Forgiveness of Allâh frequently, he deserves to be accepted by Him, and to be guided to other good deeds.

It renews the life, removes the effects of the calamities on the heart, and illuminates the mind. Have you not seen how Allâh commanded His Prophet Muhammad (May Allâh exalt his mention, and peace be upon him) after the battle of Uhod, and his companions' disobeying of his orders not to leave their places?

So, when this occurred, Allâh commanded him saying:

فَاعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِي الأَمْرِ }آل عمران159

“so pass over (their faults), and ask (Allâh's) Forgiveness for them; and consult them in the affairs." (Aal-'Imran: 159)

These are three divine orders to the Prophet inspite of what they did.

It is the divine Mercy and the Prophetic kindness, the Messenger asks Allâh's Forgiveness for them for what they did, and this asking for Allâh's Forgiveness made them forget what happened, and removed the effects of this disobedience from them, so their lives were renewed, and they (May Allâh be pleased with them, and please them) were pleased with that. 

It purifies the faults and omission during the worship, such as the internal speech of oneself, or even the speech of the tongue, as what the pilgrim does of sexual relations (with his wife), sin, and disputing unjustly, so seeking the Forgiveness of Allâh frequently removes the effects of that by Allâh's Mercy.  Allâh, the Most High, said: 

ثُمَّ أَفِيضُواْ مِنْ حَيْثُ أَفَاضَ النَّاسُ وَاسْتَغْفِرُواْ اللّهَ إِنَّ اللّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ }البقرة199

"Then depart from the place whence all the people depart and ask Allâh for His Forgiveness. Truly, Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most-Merciful." (Al-Baqarah: 199)

Seeking the Forgiveness of Allâh frequently leads to the forgiveness of the sins by Allâh's Will. Allâh, the Most High, said: 

وَمَن يَعْمَلْ سُوءاً أَوْ يَظْلِمْ نَفْسَهُ ثُمَّ يَسْتَغْفِرِ اللّهَ يَجِدِ اللّهَ غَفُوراً رَّحِيماً }النساء110

“And whoever does evil or wrongs himself but afterwards seeks Allâh's Forgiveness, he will find Allâh Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful."(An-Nisa': 110)

This means that He forgives the great sin for the slave who seeks Allâh's Forgiveness, and repents to Him

Seeking the Forgiveness of Allâh frequently leads to guidance to the good deeds which deserve the reward, and repel the punishment, as seeking the Forgiveness of Allâh is a good deed, and the good deed leads to more good deeds, and this occurs by Allâh's Guidance and Hospitality.

Seeking the Forgiveness of Allâh frequently leads to clearness of the heart, its purification from moral impurities, and its submission to Him, as the Prophet (May Allâh exalt his mention, and peace be upon him) said:

إِنَّهُ لَيُغَانُ عَلَى قَلْبِي وَإِنِّي لَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ

"Sometimes I perceive a veil over my heart, and I supplicate Allâh for forgiveness a hundred times in a day.”[1]

Seeking the Forgiveness of Allâh preserves the health, increases the strength, removes the psychic weakness, relax the conscience, calms the nerves, and strengthen the proof. Hud said:   

وَيَا قَوْمِ اسْتَغْفِرُواْ رَبَّكُمْ ثُمَّ تُوبُواْ إِلَيْهِ يُرْسِلِ السَّمَاء عَلَيْكُم مِّدْرَاراً وَيَزِدْكُمْ قُوَّةً إِلَى قُوَّتِكُمْ وَلاَ تَتَوَلَّوْاْ مُجْرِمِينَ }هود52

"And O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him, He will send you (from the sky) abundant rain, and add strength to your strength, so do not turn away as Mujrimûn (criminals, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh)." (Hud: 52)

And the increase in the strength includes every type of strength.

Seeking the Forgiveness of Allâh frequently increases the trust in Allâh and His Mercy, and makes the slave near to his Lord, so He bestows His Forgiveness and Mercy on him. 

Seeking the Forgiveness of Allâh frequently appoints a way out of every distress and a relief from every anxiety, increases the provision, facilitates its ways, and opens the gates of welfare, as it was reported that the Prophet (May Allâh exalt his mention, and peace be upon him) said:

مَنْ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ الِاسْتِغْفَارِ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لَهُ مِنْ كُلِّ هَمٍّ فَرَجًا وَمِنْ كُلِّ ضِيقٍ مَخْرَجًا وَرَزَقَهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ

"If anyone constantly seeks pardon (from Allâh), Allâh will appoint for him a way out of every distress and a relief from every anxiety, and will provide sustenance for him from where he expects not.”  

Seeking the Forgiveness of Allâh facilitates all matters, prepare its doers, and preserves the state of the slave.