Tears of the Repentant

 

Peace and mercy of Allah and His blessings be upon you.

All praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings of Allah be upon the Prophet, where there is no prophet after him.

Whisper of a lover

My dear brother, peace of Allah and His mercy and blessings be upon you.

O beloved brother… for you alone of all that exists… I send this message, mixed with love, combined with friendliness, shrouded with truth, garlanded with sincerity, O beloved brother… open your heart and lend me your hearing so as to whisper in your ear...

It is an advice from the one who loves you, as much as you are obedient to your Lord; from the one who cares about you as he cares about himself.

O Brother… you have a heart that is of the oneness of Allah uttering, of his hell scaring, and of his paradise wishing; in spite of your negligence.

Behold, I extend my hand to you, and I open my heart before you. I put my hand in your hand so that we walk together on the right path.

Give me your hand, O brother, come and walk with me on this path, so we may win the love of Allah and His good pleasure. By Allah my great desire for you is that you win Paradise.

Where a soul seeks the companion of other souls*** and hearts are aware of Him without troubles.

A Call and Nostalgia

My beloved brother… we cannot escape our sins, as we are sinners and the children of sinners… However, the danger is to listen to Satan, and to let him employ our sins and increase them. Do you know how?

He whispers to you, intimidating, that your sins are like a ditch that surrounds you and from which you cannot get out.

He insinuates to you that only those of beards and short clothes are the religious ones; thus amplifying the illusion in yourself, until you feel that you are from a group different from that of the religious people. This is, my brother, a devilish trick, your mind should be wiser and more informed than to be fooled by it.

Images that pours out the tears of the repentant

O beloved brother… visualize the image when a person dies without repenting, and that he is being dragged on his face, as he is blind, in a hellfire whose heat is severe, and whose bottom is unfathomable. The food of its residents is Zaqqûm (a horrible tree in Hell), and their drink is boiling, festering water which {He will sip it unwillingly, and he will find a great difficulty to swallow it down his throat; and death will come to him from every side, yet he will not die and in front of him, will be a great torment.} [Surat Ibrahim: 17]
 

Transliteration: YatajarraAAuhu wala yakadu yuseeghuhu wayateehi almawtu min kulli makanin wama huwa bimayyitin wamin waraihi AAathabun ghaleethun

He is dragged on his face in a hell {whose fuel is men and stones} [Surat At-Tahrim: 6]
 

Transliteration: naran waqooduha alnnasu waalhijaratu

Hell; and what will make you know what the Hell is?

O, may Allah have mercy on you, remember {When iron collars will be rounded over their necks, and the chains, they shall be dragged along, (71) In the boiling water, then they will be burned in the Fire} [Surat Ghâfir: 71-72]
 

Transliteration: Ithi alaghlalu fee aAAnaqihim waalssalasilu yushaboona (71) Fee alhameemi thumma fee alnnari yusjaroona

O brother, remember what will happen {On the Day when their faces will be turned over in the Fire, they will say: "Oh, would that we had obeyed Allâh and obeyed the Messenger (Muhammad)} [Surat Al-Ahzâb: 66]
 

Transliteration: Yawma tuqallabu wujoohuhum fee alnnari yaqooloona ya laytana ataAAna Allaha waataAAna alrrasoola

The people of the Fire… {No food will there be for them but a poisonous thorny plant, (6) Which will neither nourish nor avail against hunger.} [Surat Al-Ghâshiyah: 6-7]
 

Transliteration: Laysa lahum taAAamun illa min dareeAAin (6) La yusminu wala yughnee min jooAAin

The people of the Fire… {And if they ask for help (relief, water), they will be granted water like boiling oil, that will scald their faces. Terrible is the drink, and an evil Murtafaq (dwelling, resting place.)} [Surat Al-Kahf: 29]
 

Transliteration: wain yastagheethoo yughathoo bimain kaalmuhli yashwee alwujooha bisa alshsharabu wasaat murtafaqan

{and be given to drink boiling water so that it cuts up their bowels?} [Surat Muhammad: 15]
 

Transliteration: wasuqoo maan hameeman faqattaAAa amAAaahum

The people of the Fire… {They shall have coverings of Fire, above them and covering (of Fire) beneath them.} [Surat Az-Zummar: 16]
 

Transliteration: Lahum min fawqihim thulalun mina alnnari wamin tahtihim thulalun

The people of the Fire… {And you will see the Mujrimûn (criminals, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism, polytheists) that Day Muqarranûn (bound together) in fetters. (49) Their garments will be of pitch, and fire will cover their faces.} [Surat Ibrahîm: 49-50]. Muqarranûn in fetters means with their hands and feet tied to their necks with chains.
 

Transliteration: Watara almujrimeena yawmaithin muqarraneena fee alasfadi (49) Sarabeeluhum min qatranin wataghsha wujoohahumu alnnaru

The people of the Fire… {These two opponents (believers and disbelievers) dispute with each other about their Lord: then as for those who disbelieved, garments of fire will be cut out for them, boiling water will be poured down over their heads. (19) With it will melt (or vanish away) what is within their bellies, as well as (their) skins.} [Surat Al-Hajj: 19-20]
 

Transliteration: quttiAAat lahum thiyabun min narin yusabbu min fawqi ruoosihimu alhameemu (19) Yusharu bihi ma fee butoonihim waaljuloodu

The people of the Fire… {If you could but see when they will be held over the (Hell) Fire! They will say: "Would that we were but sent back (to the world)! Then we would not deny the Ayât (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, revelations, etc.) of our Lord, and we would be of the believers!"} [Surat Al-An'âm: 27]
 

Transliteration: Walaw tara ith wuqifoo AAala alnnari faqaloo ya laytana nuraddu wala nukaththiba biayati rabbina wanakoona mina almumineena

Listen to them while they are {Therein they will cry: "Our Lord! Bring us out, we shall do righteous good deeds, not (the evil deeds) that we used to do."} [Surat Fâtir: 37]
 

Transliteration: Wahum yastarikhoona feeha rabbana akhrijna naAAmal salihan ghayra allathee kunna naAAmalu

They say… listen to what they are saying {They will say: "Our Lord! Our wretchedness overcame us, and we were (an) erring people. (106) "Our Lord! Bring us out of this. If ever we return (to evil), then indeed we shall be Zâlimûn: (polytheists, oppressors, unjust, and wrong-doers)." (107) He (Allâh) will say: "Remain you in it with ignominy! And speak you not to Me!"} [Surat Al-Mu'minûn: 106-108]
 

Transliteration: Qaloo rabbana ghalabat AAalayna shiqwatuna wakunna qawman dalleena (106) Rabbana akhrijna minha fain AAudna fainna thalimoona (107) Qala ikhsaoo feeha wala tukallimooni

And they are crying: and behold who they are crying for

{And they will cry: "O Malik (Keeper of Hell)! Let your Lord make an end of us." He will say: "Verily, you shall abide forever." (77) Indeed We have brought the truth (Muhammad with the Qur’ân) to you, but most of you have a hatred for the truth.} [Surat Az-Zukhruf: 77-78]
 

Transliteration: Wanadaw ya maliku liyaqdi AAalayna rabbuka qala innakum makithoona (77) Laqad jinakum bialhaqqi walakinna aktharakum lilhaqqi karihoona

O brother… {There is not one of you but will pass over it (Hell): this is with your Lord; a Decree which must be accomplished. (71) Then We shall save those who used to fear Allâh and were dutiful to Him. And We shall leave the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrongdoers) therein (humbled) to their knees (in Hell).} [Surat Maryam: 71-72]
 

Transliteration: Wain minkum illa wariduha kana AAala rabbika hatman maqdiyyan (71) Thumma nunajjee allatheena ittaqaw wanatharu alththalimeena feeha jithiyyan

When the path is extended over a hell*** assaulting insurgents and swelling

Where there are people in the Hell have torture*** and others in the Gardens have pleasure

And when the truth becomes clear and the hidden uncovered*** there will be a long woe and continuing lamentation.

Consider what will happen to you when you see the path and its sharpness, then your eyes come onto the darkness of the Hell beneath it, then the Fire’s heaving of sighs and its raging and roaring ding unto your hearing, while you are commanded to walk on the path with the weak status you are in and your throbbing heart.

The creatures are walking before you on the path: some of them escape the fire and some are touched but then were left sound, while others fall on their faces in the Hellfire.

{On the Day when it comes, no person shall speak except by His (Allâh’s) Leave. Some among them will be wretched and (others) blessed. (105) As for those who are wretched, they will be in the Fire, sighing in a high and low tone. (106) They will dwell therein for all the time that the heavens and the earth endure, except as your Lord wills. Verily, your Lord is the Doer of whatsoever He intends (or wills). (107) And those who are blessed, they will be in Paradise, abiding therein for all the time that the heavens and the earth endure, except as your Lord wills: a gift without an end.} [Surat Hûd: 105-108]
 

Transliteration: faminhum shaqiyyun wasaAAeedin (105) Faamma allatheena shaqoo fafee alnnari lahum feeha zafeerun washaheequn (106) Khalideena feeha ma damati alssamawatu waalardu illa ma shaa rabbuka inna rabbaka faAAAAalun lima yureedu (107) Waamma allatheena suAAidoo fafee aljannati khalideena feeha ma damati alssamawatu waalardu illa ma shaa rabbuka AAataan ghayra majthoothin

O beloved brother, if the case is so, then there should be a contemplating stance with yourself to hold it accountable of its deeds and force it to move to the pleasure of Allah Almighty. Allah Glorified and Exalted says: {So flee to Allâh (from His Torment to His Mercy - Islâmic Monotheism)}, [Surat Az-Zâriyât: 50]
 

Transliteration: Fafirroo ila Allahi

This is the shelter and the sanctuary –fleeing to Allah Almighty. Ibn al-Jawzy, may Allah have mercy on him, said, interpreting this verse, {So flee to Allâh (from His Torment to His Mercy - Islâmic Monotheism)} by repenting from your sins [Zâd al-Masîr (the Provision of the Journey) 841], {Has not the time come for the hearts of those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism) to be affected by Allâh’s Reminder (this Qur’ân), and that which has been revealed of the truth,} [Surat Al-Hadîd: 16]
 

Transliteration: Alam yani lillatheena amanoo an takhshaAAa quloobuhum lithikri Allahi wama nazala mina alhaqqi

Some of the virtues of repentance

O beloved brother, here are some of the virtues of repentance so that you will stimulate your vigor and flee to your Lord Glorified and Exalted:

First: Repentance is a means to obtain the love of Allah Almighty, and it is enough honor of this virtue to repent. Allah Almighty has said: {Truly, Allâh loves those who turn unto Him in repentance} [Surat Al-Baqarah: 222]
 

Transliteration: inna Allaha yuhibbu alttawwabeena

Second: Repentance is the cause of the light of the heart, and it negates sins. Abu Hurayrah narrated that: the Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has said: "If the believer commits a sin, a black spot is imprinted in his heart. If he repents and seeks forgiveness his heart is cleansed of it" [the Hadith was narrated by Ahmad, At-Tirmizi, Ibn Mâjah and Al-Hâkim and is in (Sahîh al-Jâmi', 1666)]
 

Third: Repentance is the reason that Allah relieves the repentant by rain and increases the strength of their hearts and bodies. Allah Almighty has said through Prophet Hûd, peace be upon him: {"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,} [Surat Hûd: 52]
 

Transliteration: Waya qawmi istaghfiroo rabbakum thumma tooboo ilayhi yursili alssamaa AAalaykum midraran wayazidkum quwwatan ila quwwatikum

Fourth: Repentance makes the sinner as sinless: It was narrated that Abu Sa'îd Al-Ansâri, (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him has said: "remorse is repentance, and he who repents from a sin is like he who is sinless." [The Hadith is mentioned in (Sahîh al-Jâmi' 6679) as Hasan]
 

Fifth: Repentance is the first attribute of the believers: {(The believers whose lives Allâh has purchased are) those who turn to Allâh in repentance (from polytheism and hypocrisy, etc.), who worship (Him), who praise (Him), who fast (or go out in Allâh’s Cause), who bow down (in prayer), who prostrate themselves (in prayer), who enjoin (on people) Al-Ma‘rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all what Islâm has ordained) and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism of all kinds and all that Islâm has forbidden), and who observe the limits set by Allâh (do all that Allâh has ordained and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which Allâh has forbidden). And give glad tidings to the believers} [Surat At-Taubah: 112]
 

Transliteration: Alttaiboona alAAabidoona alhamidoona alssaihoona alrrakiAAoona alssajidoona alamiroona bialmaAAroofi waalnnahoona AAani almunkari waalhafithoona lihudoodi Allahi wabashshiri almumineena

Sixth: Repentance is the cause for the rejoice of the Lord, glorified and exalted, a rejoice that befits His Lordliness and Greatness, the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said: "Truly Allah rejoices more at the repentance of His servant when he repents to Him than any one of you would be when he is on his camel in a barren land, and it flew from him laden with his supplies, and that he gave up all hope of finding it. And whilst he was in such a state he finds it standing beside him..." [Narrated by Muslim]
 

Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him, said: "This rejoice is of so great importance that the slave of Allah should not ignore it or turn away from it. Only those who have knowledge of Allah, his names and attributes, and of what befits His Glory and Exaltation are aware of it. This is the end of his quote from [Madarij al-Salikîn (the Ways of the Successful) – 1210]

Seventh: Generally speaking, Allah Almighty has suspended good and success to repentance. There is no way to attain the goodness of this worldly life and the Hereafter but through repentance. The Almighty has said: {And all of you beg Allâh to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful.} [Surat An-Nûr: 31]
 

Transliteration: watooboo ila Allahi jameeAAan ayyuha almuminoona laAAallakum tuflihoona

O beloved brother, Allah has made in repentance a firm haven and a well-fortified bunker, into which the sinner enters, admitting his sins, hoping well from his Lord, regretting his wrong deeds, insisting not on his sins, taking shelter in the protection of atonement, and hoping the mercy of the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving. But there are some obstacles on the path of the slave of Allah to repentance and here are some of them:

Some recommendations that may help you to repent
1 - Devotion to Allah is the most beneficial medicament: If man is faithful to his Lord, sincere and truthful in seeking repentance, Allah will aid him in this respect by delicate benefits that may not come to his mind, and keep him away from plagues that may stand in his way. Allah says: {Thus it was, that We might turn away from him evil and illegal sexual intercourse. Surely, he was one of Our chosen (guided) slaves.} [Surat Yûsuf: 24]
 

Transliteration: linasrifa AAanhu alssooa waalfahshaa innahu min AAibadina almukhlaseena

2 – The heart of Man shall be replete with love of Allah Glorified and Exalted: Love is the greatest drive of hearts. If the heart is devoid of the love of Allah Almighty dangers and risks shall attack it; calamities and temptations will overwhelm it, so it would be distracted and divided.

Only the worship of Allah Glorified and Exalted and His love that can satisfy this heart, make it composed, and rectify its defects.

3 - Strife (in the cause of Allah) Allah Almighty has said: {As for those who strive hard in Us (Our Cause), We will surely guide them to Our Paths (i.e. Allâh’s religion - Islâmic Monotheism). And verily, Allâh is with the Muhsinûn (good doers)."} [Surat Al-A'nkabût: 69]
 

Transliteration: Waallatheena jahadoo feena lanahdiyannahum subulana wainna Allaha lamaAAa almuhsineena

Strife here means applying self-restraint until death, and walking to the pleasure of Allah Almighty.

4 - Limiting expectations and remembering the Hereafter: It was narrated that Ibn 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, said that: the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has surrounded my shoulders with his arm and said: "Be in this worldly life as if you were a stranger or a passer-by". And Ibn 'Umar used to say: "If you survive till the evening, do not expect to be alive in the morning, and if you survive till the morning, do not expect to be alive in the evening, and take from your health for your sickness, and (take) from your life for your death." [Reported by Al-Bukhari]
 

Ibn 'Uqail (may Allah have mercy on him) said; "deeds and conditions will not be clear but only by limiting hopes. Everyone who considers his current state as if he is in the last illness, his deeds will be better, thus, all his life becomes devoid of troubles.

5 - Supplication: It is one of the greatest means, and the most useful medicine. The greatest thing is to ask for is sincere repentance from Allah. Therefore the prayer of Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail, peace be upon them both, was: {Our Lord! And make us submissive unto You and of our offspring a nation submissive unto You, and show us our Manâsik (all the ceremonies of pilgrimage – Hajj and ‘Umrah), and accept our repentance. Truly, You are the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful.} [Surat Al-Baqarah: 128]
 

Transliteration: Rabbana waijAAalnamuslimayni laka wamin thurriyyatina ommatan muslimatan laka waarina manasikana watub AAalaynainnaka anta alttawwabu alrraheemu

One of the invocations of the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, was: "O Lord, forgive me and accept my repentance. Truly, You are the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful". [Reported by Ahmad and At-Tirmizi]
 

6 - Calling to mind the harms of sins and of the acts of disobedience: they include the deprivation from knowledge and livelihood; they also include the feeling of loneliness that the sinner finds in his heart, between him and his Lord, and between him and people.

They also include making matters of life difficult, in addition to the darkness of the heart and other things, which the scholar Ibn al-Qayyim, (may Allah have mercy on him) has mentioned in his book Ad-Dâ' wa Ad-Dawâ' (the Disease and the Medicine). For those who want more of these questions, you can refer to this book, as it is unique in this field, may Allah have mercy on its author.

O beloved brother, these are some recommendations that may help you to repent, so stick to them, I pray to Allah to make us from those who repent.

My repentant brother, what if you feel apathy and weakness?

First: my brother, you have to quickly turn to Allah Almighty beseeching his help, by praying to Him humbly not to deprive you of His blessings and not to abandon you to yourself for a blink of an eye.

Second: contemplate on the horrors of the Day of Resurrection and the graves, and contemplate on the bliss of paradise. You will soon be guided by Allah to return to your Lord

Third: my brother, keep on holding yourself to account for your deeds.

Fourth: maintain reading al-Azkâr (words and sayings on the remembrance of Allah, invocations and supplications to Him) with the presence of the heart; and try to ponder their meaning.

Fifth: Keep accompanying the righteous and the knowledgeable scholars, as this is one of the greatest means of increasing the energy and removing the apathy.

I ask Allah to protect you and me from returning to sins after getting rid of them, from weakness after strength and from misguidance after guidance.

In conclusion

I can only say: O Allah, forgive my brother and me and take us by Your mercy into Your righteous servants. O Allah keep my heart and his heart firm on your religion {And those who say: "Our Lord! Avert from us the torment of Hell. Verily its torment is ever an inseparable, permanent punishment." (65) Evil indeed it (Hell) is as an abode and as a place to rest in.} [Surat Al-Furqân: 65-66]
 

Transliteration: Waallatheena yaqooloona rabbana isrif AAanna AAathaba jahannama inna AAathabaha kana gharaman (65) Innaha saat mustaqarran wamuqaman

Peace and mercy of Allah and His blessings be upon you.


Translated by Wathakker.info website