and pure generosity and kindness on the part of the Lord, Mighty and Majestic.

It is established in the two Sahīh collections that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“None of you will enter Paradise by virtue of his deeds.” They asked, “Not even you, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied, “Not even I, unless Allah envelops me in His mercy and grace.”

It is also established in an authentic report that he used to say:

“O people, repent to your Lord! By Him in whose hand is my soul, I seek Allah’s forgiveness and repent to Him more than seventy times a day.”

It is also established in an authentic report that he said:

“A veil comes over my heart, and I seek Allah’s forgiveness a hundred times a day.”

Thus, through the perfection of his servitude to Allah, his love for Him and dependence upon Him, and his repentance and seeking forgiveness, he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, became the best of creation in Allah’s sight. For all goodness comes from Allah, and no created being possesses anything of its own. Rather, the creature is dependent in every respect, while Allah has no need of it in any respect and bestows His kindness upon it in every respect. The more a servant grows in humility and servitude, the nearer he draws to Allah and the higher he rises in rank. His repentance and seeking forgiveness are part of this.

In a hadith, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Every child of Adam sins, and the best of those who sin are those who continually repent.”

Reported by Ibn Mājah and al-Tirmidhī.