Al-Karoub releases her from the continuous obligation of seeking forgiveness
Dialogues
Distress is what causes a person psychological or physical pain, especially when its impact is severe, nearly breaking their spirit and cutting off their hope in this world, particularly if the causes of this distress are worldly.
Thus, a calamity in the context of religion is a disaster, not merely distress. I believe that a Muslim’s consistent practice of seeking forgiveness will alleviate much of the world’s distress for them, or at least lessen its burden. Among the benefits of seeking forgiveness, we mention the following:
- Your tongue remains moist with the remembrance of God: A prophetic tradition states, “A man said, ‘O Messenger of God, the ordinances of Islam have become too numerous for me; inform me of something I can hold fast to.’ He replied, ‘Let your tongue remain moist with the remembrance of God.’”
Seeking forgiveness is among the best forms of remembering God, along with glorifying Him (Tasbih), praising Him (Tahmid), and expressing gratitude for blessings, favors, and divine subtleties.
- The benefits of seeking forgiveness in the Holy Quran: “And it is not for Allah to punish them while you, [O Muhammad], are among them, nor would Allah punish them while they seek forgiveness.” (Al-Anfal 33)
“And those who, when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves [by transgression], remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins—and who can forgive sins except Allah?—and [who] do not persist in what they have done while they know.” (Ali 'Imran 135)
“And [say], ‘O my people, seek forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him. He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in showers and increase you in strength [added] to your strength. And do not turn away, [being] criminals.’” (Hud 52)
- Seeking forgiveness is better than gossip and backbiting: A Muslim occupies their tongue by consistently seeking forgiveness, sowing good in this world and the hereafter, rather than occupying it with reciting nonsense, idle chatter, gossip, or backbiting, which will in turn bring them further worldly distress. God knows best.
- Consistent seeking forgiveness and psychological peace: Those who consistently seek forgiveness recognize its positive effect on the human psyche, particularly in removing anxieties and replacing them with inner tranquility. Someone who occupies their tongue with seeking forgiveness is, in a sense, literally removing the doubts, fears, and worldly worries that had accumulated in their heart, which previously caused them to feel chest tightness.
- Our ailments persist due to our sins: A saying states, “Our ailments persist because of our sins, but God removes them when we repent.” If the affliction or illness is caused by sin, its remedy is the consistent practice of seeking forgiveness.
$ Kuwaiti writer
