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1. TWO ASPECTS OF FORGIVENESS:
A) God’s
forgiveness.
B)
Human forgiveness.
We need both,
because we do wrong in our relations to God as well as in our
relations to other human beings.
A. God’s Forgiveness:
God is more
merciful to His creations than a mother can be to her infants. He
created "man with weakness; thus He knows and we should know
that "to err is human," and "no one is perfect".
B. Human Forgiveness:
It is also
necessary to base human relations on forgiveness. We cannot expect
God’s forgiveness unless we
also forgive those who do wrong to us. Forgiving each other, even
forgiving one’s enemies is one of the
most important Islamic teachings.
2. TYPES OF
FORGIVENESS:
i) We
forgive someone when we are unable to take
vengeance. This kind of forgiveness is, in fact, synonymous
to patience and forbearance. It is a kind of
helplessness and tolerance.
ii) We
forgive someone when we have the power to take
revenge. This is the
most desired forgiveness, that is we forgive even when we have
the ability to take revenge.
3.
KINDS OF FORGIVENESS
There are three kinds of forgiveness,
all interrelated.
| i) |
Forgiveness of God - that
assures us of our worth and strengthens us.
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| ii)
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Forgiveness of others - the
forgiveness that we extend to others and receive from them, intimates and
enemies. |
| iii) |
Self-forgiveness - which
enables us to release our own guilt and lack of
perfection.
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4. IMPORTANCE OF FORGIVENESS :
| 1.
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For the
after-life or life in the hereafter - seeking forgiveness is a sign of humility and
forgiving others is a sign of nobility.
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| 2. |
It brings happiness in the worldly
life – forgiving improves our relations
with people by bringing good reputation and respect.
Psychologically it brings happiness to the person forgiven and to
the person who forgives.
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Forgiveness must not be selfish. If
one desires to be forgiven by others for his offenses he
must learn to forgive others. If one seeks forgiveness from God, he should
learn to forgive others. If one desires that God overlook his weaknesses, he should
learn to overlook weaknesses of others.
5. HOW TO
ASK FORGIVENESS? There are no particular words to say for asking
forgiveness, there are many ways it which forgiveness can be
requested.
| (i) |
For example, Muslims
are taught many phrases and words to ask God’s forgiveness,
such words as, Astaghfiru-Allah
meaning, "I ask forgiveness from Allah."
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| (ii) |
In the case with other
people, we can say, "I’m sorry" or "please forgive
me" |
6.
Requirements To Receive Forgiveness From God :
| i) |
Recognizing the
offense itself and admitting it before God.
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| ii) |
Making a
commitment not to repeat the offense. |
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| iii) |
Asking for forgiveness from
God. |
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However the forgiveness must
meet the criteria of sincerity. God, has
the knowledge of everything including whatever a person thinks
but does not express in words or deeds. If the above
three conditions are met in sincerity, forgiveness from
God is assured. Sincerity protects a person from repeating the
same offense. If a person is sincere he will be helped by God not to
repeat; in addition, God will change his punishment for the
offense into a reward. If the offense was committed
against another human being or society, a fourth condition for
forgiveness is added and the order is changed.
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| a.
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Admitting the offense before those
against whom the offense was committed and before God.
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| b.
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Committing oneself
not to repeat the offense. |
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| c.
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Doing whatever
needs to be done to rectify the offense (within reason) and asking
pardon of the offended party. |
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| d.
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Asking God for
forgiveness.
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7. CONDITIONS FOR FORGIVENESS TO BE ACCEPTED:
In order for
forgiveness to be accepted, these conditions should be met:
| i)
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The crime is
committed out of ignorance, not with the intention that, "Let us go
ahead and commit this crime as God is forgiving, so He will
forgive us.";
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| ii) |
Quickly turn to
shame and repentance after committing a crime out of ignorance;
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| iii) |
After asking for forgiveness, make a promise or
pledge to "mend your ways", and to keep to your promise.
Quran : "...if any of you did evil in ignorance, and thereafter
repented and amended (your conduct), lo! Allah is
Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (
6:54 ) !
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Courtesy:
www.islamic-world.net
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