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What Quran and Hadis say about person who seek for forgiveness from Allah

Q:

I think my self as the most napaak and gunahgar person in this world there are many things which I have done which was incorrect.i am unable to stop doing a bad thing and my inner self always say that I shouldn’t have done it.and my heart always say that I should seek mercy from Allah.but I always get ashamed after doing so many bad things when I ask for forgiveness from allah my inner self get ashamed because of so many sins which I have done what quran and hadis says about a person who is naapak and gunahgar who seek for forgiveness and mercy from Allah.

A:

Alaikum salam wa Rahmatullah.

Asking Forgiveness is a critical aspect of Islam as everybody makes mistakes in life and unintentionally commits sins. No believer would willingly want to earn the wrath of Allah s.w.t.
In Islam, it is very important to recognize the mistake or sin, improve it and seek forgiveness from Allah and also from other human beings if one has done any injustice to them. Allah gives us many chances to undo the wrong we have done towards Him. It is infact ourselves that we have been doing wrong to, by disregarding our worth that we as human beings have so much potential and could reach great heights of perfection if we obeyed the commands of Allah.
Getting rid of the sin committed will happen gradually so you should try all you can and never be despondent of Allahs mercy.
Remember, shaitan will always make you feel a sence of hopelessness towards Allah and stop you from seeking forgiveness, so never fall into this trap.
Try as much as possible to amend your mistakes and inshAllah there will come a time that you will.have forgotten to even think about your sin because of true and sincere repentance.

The Holy Qur’an says about seeking forgiveness:

• “And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord, and a Garden the extensiveness of which is the heavens and the earth, prepared for those who guard against evil.” (3:133)

Say: “O my Servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah: for Allah forgives all sins: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Zumar:53)

• “And whoever does evil, and oppresses his soul, then seeks forgiveness of Allah, he will find Allah to be Forgiving, Merciful.” (4:110)

• “Will they not turn to Allah and seek His forgiveness, and Allah is oft-forgiving, Merciful.” (5:74)

The following Hadith talk beautifully and eloquently on Istighfar (seeking forgiveness):

• Fortunate is the person who finds in his record of deeds a lot of seeking forgiveness.

Holy Prophet (S)

• The similitude of Istighfar is like the leaves on a tree. The tree is shaken, and the leaves fall off.

Imam Ridha (a)

• Fragrance yourselves with Istighfar so the stench of sins does not disturb you.

Imam Ali (a)

• Seek forgiveness abundantly, for Allah has not taught you how to seek forgiveness except because He wishes to forgive you.

Try working on one of the ahadith or Quranic Ayat and keep begging to Allah to wipe away any thought of sinning.
Also remember, Allah helps those who help themselves so never stop struggling to refrain from sinning.

Regards
Salma Alavi