seeking Allah’s forgiveness removes the effects of sins, which cause knowledge to be forgotten and give rise to ignorance, as Allah Most High says: “For breaking their covenant, We cursed them and hardened their hearts. They distort words from their proper places and forgot a portion of what they had been reminded of.” 1.

It is related that al-Shāfi‘i said:

I complained to Wakī of my failing memory;
He guided me to abandon sin.

He said, “Know that knowledge is a light,
And Allah’s light is not granted to a sinner.”

There can therefore be no doubt that seeking Allah’s forgiveness is a means by which Allah opens the way to understanding for a person.

I ask Allah to grant me and you success and sound judgment, to make us steadfast through the firm word in the life of this world and in the Hereafter, and not to let