This is a magnificent and comprehensive hadith encompassing the foremost and greatest causes for the forgiveness of sins. It mentions three great causes by which sins are forgiven:

The first is calling upon Allah while placing one’s hope in Him. Among the greatest causes of forgiveness is that, when a servant commits a sin, he hopes for forgiveness from none but his Lord and knows that none forgives sins except Allah.

The second is seeking forgiveness. Even if sins are immense and so numerous that they reach the clouds of the sky, Allah forgives them when the servant asks his Lord for forgiveness.

The third is monotheism, which is the greatest cause of forgiveness. Whoever lacks it is deprived of forgiveness, while whoever possesses it has attained the greatest cause of forgiveness. Allah Almighty therefore says: “Indeed, Allah does not forgive associating partners with Him, but He forgives anything less than that for whomever He wills.”1 Whoever comes on the Day of Resurrection affirming Allah’s oneness has attained the greatest cause of forgiveness.2

Thus, the doors of goodness stand open, its entrances are readily accessible, and its beacons are clearly visible. We therefore ask Him, exalted is He, to guide us to them and grant us success in fulfilling them.