Alexander Pope on his essay in criticism said, “To err is human, to forgive is divine. This saying is somehow Islamically true as Islam acknowledges the human nature to err in his decisions without intention or to make mistakes on purpose. Forgiving is also considered divine as it is Allah who truly forgives sins and anyone who forgives others of their trespasses is doing a godly act.
Prophet Muhammad said, “All of the children of Adam are sinners and the best among the sinners are those who repent from their sins.” Narrated by Imam At Tirmidhi.
SIN IN ISLAM
It is human nature to make mistakes and in one way or another, these mistakes constitute a sin. A sin occurs whenever we violate the rights of other fellow humans in their life, religion, intellect, honor, and property on purpose while remembering such action is prohibited and we are knowing that such action is a sin. This is what constitutes a sin in order to differentiate it from an honest mistake where we may have erred despite our best attempts to reach proper decision and action.
That is why people who did things which unknowingly that led them to hurt others are not listed in Islam as sinning but may, however, still be liable for civil liabilities. A person for example who may have killed someone by unknowingly by backing his car onto someone is not sinning with murder but he may still be held accountable for it. The intention is a big factor in determining whether an action is considered a sin or not.
Whether a mistake is a sin or not also depend upon the state of the person who injures others. Prophet Muhammad said, “The pen that writes good and bad deeds are raised for three kinds of people: the sleeping until he wakes up, the child until he comes to the age of puberty, and the insane until he becomes sane.” Narrated by Abu Dawud. This saying is also based upon the lack of the ability of these people to intend or to make proper decisions that is why they are never held accountable for their actions.
Duress or coercion is also a factor whether the person is sinning in his action or not. Prophet Muhammad said, “Forgiven for my nation are the sins brought about by mistakes, forgetfulness and being coerced.” Narrated by Ibnu Hazm.
Another important thing to know about sins in Islam, is that another person cannot be held liable for the mistakes or sins of another. Allah said in the Quran, “There is nothing that one shall gain except that which is for him and no one shall bear the sins of another.” Quran 35: 18. This is the reason why Muslims do not believe that we inherit the sins of Adam and Eve or that Jesus died on the cross for the sins of all mankind.
SINS AGAINST ALLAH
Sins are not only the damage or injury we cause to others. In fact, the worst sin is that which we do against Allah. Worshipping others other than Allah or denying Allah is the worse sin there is. Allah said in the Quran, “Indeed Allah shall not forgive that he should be assigned partners with in being worshipped but He shall forgive sins other than that if He so desired.” Quran 4: 48.
Sins against our fellow humans also constitute sins against Allah as each individual sin we do against others is a violation of Allah’s orders or prohibition. Whenever someone commits theft, backbiting, murder or any other sin, he is not only sinning against his fellow humans, he is sinning against Allah most of All.
HOW TO REPENT
Allah said in the Quran,“But whosoever repents after his crime and does righteous good deeds by obeying Allah, then verily, Allah will pardon him and accept his repentance. Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” Quran 5:39
Allah’s forgiveness is always open to all who shall repent to him sincerely. In fact, Allah shall accept repentance from anyone as long as he is alive because, beyond death, there is nothing a human could do from the good deeds and bad deeds.
Repentance is simple in Islam but there are conditions to be met according to Imam An Nawawi,
“Repentance is essential from every sin, even if it is something between a person and Allah and has nothing to do with the rights of another person. There are three conditions of repentance:
1- You should give up the sin
2- You should regret having done it
3- You should resolve never to go back to it.”
Giving up the sin means that one should stop immediately upon remembering that what he is doing is wrong or if he remembers it after he did it, he should make amends towards those whom he had caused damage to. If he has stolen something, for example, it must be returned or if he has maligned anyone, he should try to take back his statement. All of these should be done while asking for forgiveness from the person which is quite difficult and embarrassing most of the time but everyone should do it to the best of his ability.
Regret of having sinned begins with the admission that one indeed has sinned. If one is too arrogant to admit that he is doing is a sin even if he is being reminded then such a person shall not be able to do real repentance to Allah. Regret is not only by asking Allah to forgive you, it must be done with all sincerity and sadness for having done it.
Another important condition is that you should have the resolve of not going back to sinning. This is done by avoiding going to places of sin or being with people who sin. Returning to the same sin over and over again, however, may not invalidate one’s repentance but is affecting his sincerity towards Allah in his repentance and asking for forgiveness.
