Chapter on Seeking Forgiveness

Allah the Exalted says, “So know, [O Muhammad], that there is no deity but Allah, and seek forgiveness for your sin and for the believing men and believing women” (Qur’an 47:19). He also says, “Seek forgiveness from Allah; indeed, Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful” (4:106). And He says, “So glorify the praise of your Lord and ask His forgiveness; truly, He is ever Accepting of repentance” (110:3). He further says, “For those who are mindful of their Lord there are gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will remain forever … and those who seek forgiveness before dawn” (3:15-17). And He says, “Whoever does evil or wrongs himself and then seeks Allah’s forgiveness will find Allah Forgiving, Merciful” (4:110). And He says, “Allah would not punish them while you are among them, nor will He punish them while they are seeking forgiveness” (8:33). And He says, “Those who, when they commit an indecent act or wrong themselves, remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins—and who forgives sins except Allah?—and do not persist in what they have done knowingly” (3:135). There are many other well-known verses on this subject.

[Commentary]

The author—may Allah have mercy on him—concluded his book with the topics of seeking forgiveness and repentance. Allah, exalted is He, commanded His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) near the end of his life, saying: “When the help of Allah comes and the victory, and you see people entering the religion of Allah in crowds, then glorify the praise of your Lord and seek His forgiveness” (110:1-3).