So this morning it was discussed that the commands of Allah and the injunctions of our Deen are not difficult, but even if there is some difficulty or some laborious effort is called for in the observance of a certain command, it is insignificant if one keeps in mind the eternal bliss and comfort vouchsafed in the Hereafter for the observers. Even in this world, earning the daily bread does involve some hardship but it is accepted since it is rewarded. Similarly, if we keep in mind that observance of Islamic commandments is going to earn for us unimaginable rewards in the Hereafter, we will hardly shirk the slight hardship involved.

While there are some Islamic commandments and injunctions the observance of which does entail some labour, there are other Divinely ordained acts which do not entail any hardship nor are they time consuming nor do they demand any expenditure. It is only a matter of attitude; if one develops the right attitude, he would go on chalking up good deeds in his roster of deeds, and if one goes on observing them, he would have a vast store of good deeds that would fetch rewards in the Afterlife.

In this world, we do not realize the true importance of storing up good deeds, but when our eyes shall close in eternal sleep and when we shall be summoned before Allah to answer for whatever we did in this world, then we will know how important even the most ordinary good deed shall become. Good deeds are the currency of the Afterlife; gold and silver and worldly coins shall avail nought, the only question to be asked would be “How many good deeds have you brought to be reckoned?” If then the pocket will be empty, one will rue and repent why the roster of deeds was not filled up with good acts. But then all repentance will be of no avail as the time for acts will be long past.

Seeking Pardon

Seeking Divine pardon is an antidote for the poisoning of human soul by sinning. Every sin against Allah, however heinous ‘if may be, is forgiven if one seeks Divine pardon for it. Whenever a sin-great or small-is committed, it should be atoned for by seeking pardon, and even when no sin has been apparently committed, one should seek Divine forgiveness. Every Muslim knows that the eternally blessed Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was free of all sin, but even then he has said that “I beg for Allah’s forgiveness seventy times or more every day. [Bukhari].

In one hadith the blessed Prophet ﷺ is quoted as follows: “Whosoever regularly seeks Allah’s pardon, Allah makes for him a way out of all tight corners, removes all his worries and grants him sustenance from sources he had never imagined [Abu Dawud].

Hence one should cultivate the habit of seeking Divine pardon at all times and at least once a day, one should read a hundred beads of Istighfaar on the rosary or counter.

One can ask for Divine forgiveness in any language, however, the most common and easiest version in Arabic is to say:

استغفر الله

There are many other words and phrases that can be added to this but this is the easiest and shortest.

One particular form of seeking Divine pardon which has been particularly lauded in the hadith, and it has been designated as Chief of all Prayers for Divine Forgiveness; is:

اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي , لا إِلَهَ إِلا أَنْتَ، خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ، وَعَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ، وَأَبُوءُ بنعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ، وَأَبُوءُ بِذَنْبِي، فَاغْفِرْ لِي، إِنَّهُ لا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلا أَنْتَ.

Oh Allah, You are my Rabb, there is no deity other than You. You have created me and I am your slave and I am trying to fulfil your pledge and covenant to the best of my ability. I seek refuge in You from the evil that I have committed. I acknowledge Your blessing upon me and I confess my sin; thus, forgive me. Verily no one forgives sins other than You.

If somebody recites this Dua during the day, with firm faith in it, and dies on the same day before the evening, he will be from the people of Paradise; and if a person recites it at night with firm faith in it, and dies before the morning, he will be from the people of Paradise.” [Bukhari]

Specially before going to sleep, one should briefly recall one’s shortcomings and wrongdoings of the day and seek Divine Pardon for them.