I was with my teacher as we were going over this ayah. She was explaining to me how Adam felt as though he wanted to repent, and Allah helped give him the words to say, so that he has the chance to be forgiven. 

Then she asks me, has there ever been a moment where you’re just going about your day, when suddenly the word astaghfirallah enters your mind, so you start saying it? I nodded my head yes. She then says, Allah subhanna wa taalah put that word in your head. He helped you to remember, so that you could receive the rewards of it. So that you could erase some sins with it. 

When she said, subhannallah I began to cry. It made me recall all the times that’s happened, and it left me feeling so special. Now, I know it’s just a simple astaghfirallah. And yes, it’s not something that happens all the time, but the times that it has happened, it made me realize in those moments, it was as if Allah was remembering me.  When that’s happened to you, it was Allah remembering YOU, reminding YOU. Subhannallah. It’s usually the opposite, where we’re always being told to remember Allah. It’s written so many times in the Quran to remember our Lord, salah is laid out throughout the day as an incentive for us to remember Allah - why, because it’s beneficial for us. But then there are sometimes when Allah helps to reminds us in a special way.  He wants us to do as best the best rewards we can, so that we may be with him in the akhira.  To hear that is such a mercy, such a blessing. Alhamdulilah.

Muslim Student Organization & Women in Islam  CCNY

I remember hearing once that when Allah uses a similar phrasing in a surah, especially in a long one like Al-Baqarah, He is trying to draw our attention to something. For the longest time I would read these two ayahs, specifically the last part- 'Surely He is the Accepter of Repentance, Most Merciful' and think to myself what could be the connection between these two? The Children of Israel (Bani Israel) made a grave mistake-shirk but Adam (as) did not mean to disobey Allah, he simply slipped and forgot. However, thinking deeper I could see a connection. Adam (as), our father made a mistake after knowledge had come to him. Bani Israel had seen multiple signs of Allah through the messenger- Musa (as). Both our father and Bani Israel erred after knowledge came to them. This got me thinking further of how connected these stories are. In Baqarah, we are first introduced to our origin story by Allah telling the angels of a new creation He was going to be placing on the earth starting with Adam(as). Bani Israel was meant to serve as a ummah showing people what it means to be a nation that follows and submits to Allah. Both Adam (as) and Bani Israel are in positions of where they were each chosen for a specific task (as Allah tells us later in Baqarah that He chose them over all other nations in their time). As Baqarah is the second surah, this is the first time one would read about the story of Adam (as) and Allah in His Divine Wisdom chose to tell us that He gave our father the names of all things (knowledge). It is very interesting that right after this, we read about the Children of Israel who pride themselves on having knowledge. Scholarship is a huge part of their tradition and many of them study for long hours in the day. It feels like with these two stories being side by side it is like Allah is telling them and us that whatever knowledge you have it shouldn’t make you arrogant as it comes from Allah and the father of all humanity was also given much more knowledge that what you or I have.

It reminds me of people of Hazrat Yunus A.S. These people were also forgiven after repentance when they had witnessed the signs of punishment.  

Sinners who return to Allah , run to the Quran and often times begin reciting the Quran from the beginning. 

Isn't it amazing how  Allah is talking to that Muslim, who sinned and now opened the Quran on the first day of ramadhan that He is All forgiving , The Most Merciful. 

Allah mentions a few times that He is هو التواب الرحيم
Just like Adam our father, who was taught these words by Allah. Allah teaches these names of His to  Adam's children. 

Ya Rab don't let us leave this ramadhan , except that you have forgiven us. And had put love in our hearts to obey you.
#MASRamadan2020 
#Night1

رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَا أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ (الاعراف:23)
اے ہمارے رب! ہم نے اپنے نفسوں پر ظلم کیا، اگر تو ہماری مغفرت نہ کرے گا، اور ہم پر رحم نہ کرے گا تو یقیناً ہم نقصان پانے والوں میں سے ہو جائیں گے۔
یہ دعا میری سب سے پسندیدہ دعاؤں میں سے ایک ہے۔ 
اللہ سبحانہ و تعالی جو ہماری شہ رگ سے بھی زیادہ قریب ہے حضرت آدم و حوا علیھما السلام کی پکار کا جواب یوں دیتا ہے:
فَتَابَ عَلَیۡہِ ؕ اِنَّہٗ ہُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِیۡمُ (البقرۃ: 37)
پس مہربان ہوا ان پر بے شک وہی توبہ قبول کرنے والا رحم کرنے والا ہے۔
یہ دعا مجھے سکھاتی ہے کہ اللہ ہم سے بہت محبت کرتا ہے۔ وہ نہیں چاہتا کہ ہمارا نقصان ہو۔ اللہ سبحانہ و تعالی کی ہم سے محبت کی دلیل اس سے بڑھ کر اور کیا ہو گی کہ غلطی انسان نے کی اور توبہ کے کلمات خود اللہ سبحانہ و تعالی سکھا بھی رہا ہے اور قبول بھی کر رہا ہے۔ فرمایا:
فَتَلَقّٰۤی اٰدَمُ مِنۡ رَّبِّہٖ کَلِمٰتٍ (البقرۃ: 37)
یہ دعا سکھاتی ہے کہ توبہ کی قبولیت کے لیے احساس ندامت شرط ہے۔ جس طرح گاڑی چلانے کے دوران اگر red light کا دھیان نہ رہے تو ایسا بھاری فائن لگتا ہے کہ اگلی بار جب گاڑی چلاتے ہیں تو خود بخود گاڑی سگنل پر آ کر نہ صرف یہ کہ رک جاتی ہے بلکہ yellow light کا بھی خوب دھیان رہتا ہے۔ اسی طرح زندگی میں جہاں غلطی ہو جائے لازم کہ فورا دل کا الارم بجے، خود پر ایک بھاری بوجھ محسوس ہے، اور پھر اس بوجھ کو اتارنے کی فکر میں انسان اپنے رب کی جانب رجوع کرے۔ استغفار کرے۔ 
یہ دعا مجھے کہتی ہے 'آؤ اپنے رب کی رحمت کی طرف!'۔ اللہ سبحانہ و تعالی مایوسی، نا امیدی اور گناہوں کے دلدل میں ڈوبے ہوئے اپنے بندوں کو رحمت کی طرف یوں بلاتا ہے:
وَ ھُوَ الَّذِیۡ یَقۡبَلُ التَّوۡبَۃَ عَنۡ عِبَادِہٖ وَ یَعۡفُوۡا عَنِ السَّیِّاٰتِ وَ یَعۡلَمُ مَا تَفۡعَلُوۡنَ (الشوری: 25)
اور وہی تو ہے جو اپنے بندوں کی توبہ قبول کرتا ہے اور انکے قصور معاف فرماتا ہے اور جو کچھ تم کرتے ہو وہ جانتا ہے۔
رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم نے فرمایا:
قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ: أَنَا عِنْدَ ظَنِّ عَبْدِي بِي، وَأَنَا مَعَهُ حَيْثُ يَذْكُرُنِي، وَاللَّهِ لَلَّهُ أَفْرَحُ بِتَوْبَةِ عَبْدِهِ مِنْ أَحَدِكُمْ يَجِدُ ضَالَّتَهُ بِالْفَلَاةِ، وَمَنْ تَقَرَّبَ إِلَيَّ شِبْرًا تَقَرَّبْتُ إِلَيْهِ ذِرَاعًا، وَمَنْ تَقَرَّبَ إِلَيَّ ذِرَاعًا تَقَرَّبْتُ إِلَيْهِ بَاعًا، وَإِذَا أَقْبَلَ إِلَيَّ يَمْشِي أَقْبَلْتُ إِلَيْهِ أُهَرْوِلُ '.
'اللہ عزوجل نے فرمایا: میرے بارے میں میرے بندے کا جو گمان ہو میں اس کے ساتھ (مطابق ہوتا) ہوں اور وہ مجھے جہاں (بھی) یاد کرے میں اس کے پاس ہوتا ہوں۔ اللہ کی قسم! اللہ تعالیٰ اپنے بندے کی توبہ پر تم میں سے ایسے آدمی کی نسبت بھی زیادہ خوش ہوتا ہے جسے چٹیل بیابان میں اپنی گم شدہ سواری (سامان سمیت واپس) مل جاتی ہے۔ (میرا) جو بندہ ایک بالشت میرے قریب آتا ہے، میں ایک ہاتھ اس کے قریب آ جاتا ہوں اور جو ایک ہاتھ میرے قریب ہوتا ہے، میں دونوں ہاتھوں کی پوری لمبائی کے برابر اس کے قریب ہو جاتا ہوں اور جو چلتا ہوا میری طرف آتا ہے، میں دوڑتا ہوا اس کے پاس آتا ہوں۔'(صحیح مسلم، کتاب التوبہ، حدیث: 6952)

Its human nature to commit sin. Allah knows we can be wrong doers.  However Allah taught man how to repent and seek forgiveness. Part of the reason He created us is for us to worship Him and to seek his forgiveness so He can forgive us.

Thank you for sharing your reflection on seeking forgiveness and worshiping Allah. It's a beautiful reminder of the importance of repentance in Islam. Keep reflecting and sharing your thoughts with the community. Jazak Allah Khair for being a part of QuranReflect.



When Adam (alayhisalam) left Paradise, he came down with the provision (word from Allah) - Repentance 

So, consume your provision as much till you are here, for it can take you back Home.

سبقت رحمته غضبه؛ فيرحم عبده في عين غضبه، كما جعل هبوط آدم سبب ارتفاعه، وبعده سبب قربه، فسبحانه من تواب ما أكرمه، ومن رحيم ما أعظمه. الألوسي: 1/238.
السؤال: بعد قصة آدم -عليه السلام- لا نيأس من رحمة الله سبحانه؛ وضّح ذلك.

* يمكنك وضع إجابتك عن الأسئلة في التعليقات حتى تعمّ الفائدة

* للمزيد عن هذه الآية في مصحف تدبر وعمل: https://altadabbur.com/#aya=2_37

#وقفة_تدبرية

In the Name of Allah the Most Gracious, the Most Kind,

I was reading the following ayats today, and it occurred to me that Allah azza wa jal had warned Adam Alahis salaam not to approach the tree or else he will be a wrongdoer. Yet, Satan managed to deceive them. But, I told myself ‘notice how Allah azza wa jal’ inspired Adam Alahis salaam with words seeking sincere repentance. 

I have seen many individuals feel an enormous amount of shame and remorse. This feeling that their sin is ‘too large’ for Allah’s forgiveness. Often, the result I have personally seen is that this feeling causes even more engagement of sin(s)!  For me these ayats caused me to reflect that remorse and sadness regarding the sin is a huge blessing. When we feel like this then we should remember this story of Adam Alahis salaam and understand it is Allah azza wa jal who inspires the feeling of guilt in our hearts. He wants to forgive us, do we capitalise upon this feeling and come back to Him and not only come back to Him but come even closer to Him? 

Ibn Qayyim RA stated:

'Satan, rejoiced when Adam AS came out of paradise, but he (Satan) did not know that when a diver sinks into the sea, he collects pearls and rises again.'

Compare this to many who have no such guilt when committing sins, whose hearts have no such remorse and only want to engage further into sinful activities and conduct. This is truly the saddest state to be in.

Remember Satan wants to destroy us, guilt is there because Allah is very merciful, we should not turn guilt into hopelessness. Rather, we should contemplate the huge mercy of Allah which He has upon us. Through our guilt may we be quick to repent and turn back to Him.

Guilt is like a hard shoulder on a highway, for you to pause and reflect, to seek sincere forgiveness and take the help of Allah. Then we get back into our lane fully focused in  worshiping Him in order to return back to Him in the best way; seeking forgiveness and having hope in Allah the Almighty.

#Allah
#tawbah
#repentance
#guilt
#Mercy
#storyofAdam
#hope

﷽

We all have our weaknesses and temptations within us. It's a part of our human nature, a test that Allah (SWT) has placed within us. Sometimes, these desires align with the boundaries set by Allah, and there are permissible ways to fulfil them. But when these desires fall outside the hudud, the sacred boundaries set by Allah, there is no lawful way to fulfil them. The life of this world is restricted by the divine laws and boundaries established by Allah (SWT). We cannot have everything we desire. There is no concept of 'my truth'; there is only the truth of Allah and the truth of His religion.

Yet, we might sometimes slip, for a brief moment or a prolonged period in our lives. In such times, we should remember the story of our father, Prophet Adam (AS). He and his wife (amma Hawwa) lived in the bliss of Jannah, where Allah commanded them not to eat from a specific tree, setting clear boundaries: 'And We said, 'O Adam, dwell, you and your wife, in Paradise and eat therefrom in ease and abundance from wherever you will. But do not approach this tree, lest you be among the wrongdoers'' (Qur'an 2:35).

Despite this clear command, they were tempted by Shaytan and ate from the forbidden tree. This was a slip, a moment of human weakness. Allah (SWT) acknowledges this in the Qur'an: 'And Adam disobeyed his Lord and erred' (Qur'an 20:121). But the story doesn't end there. Allah, in His infinite mercy, taught Adam (AS) words of repentance: 'Then Adam received from his Lord [some] words, and He accepted his repentance. Indeed, it is He who is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful' (Qur'an 2:37).

This is a profound lesson for all of us. Whenever we slip, we should turn back to Allah with sincere repentance. We should make a heartfelt intention not to repeat the sin and seek His forgiveness. As the Qur'an says: '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' (Qur'an 3:135).

From this story, we learn several essential lessons. The nature of boundaries set by Allah is not to restrict us but to guide us towards what is best. Temptation is a real and powerful force. Even in the perfect setting of Jannah, Adam (AS) and his wife faced temptation. This reminds us that no one is immune, and we must always be vigilant and seek Allah's help in resisting temptation. Shaytan is always seeking to lead us astray. He deceived Adam (AS) by making the forbidden tree seem desirable. We must be aware of Shaytan's tactics and strive to resist his whispers.

Allah's mercy is vast and encompassing. Allah taught Adam how to repent and accepted their repentance. This shows that no matter how much we err, Allah is always ready to forgive if we turn to Him sincerely. Repentance is a powerful tool. It not only cleanses us of our sins but also brings us closer to Allah. The act of turning back to Allah with a sincere heart is highly valued by Allah. We are bound to make mistakes. Adam (AS), the first human, made a mistake, which highlights the inherent imperfection in all of us. This should make us humble and more understanding of others' faults as well. The incident of Adam (AS) reminds us that life is a test. We will face trials and tribulations, but these are opportunities for growth and drawing closer to Allah.

This life is a test, a means to develop resilience, strength, and patience in our character. Allah (SWT) has promised that in the next life, we will be given everything that will satisfy us: 'Therein you will have [all] that your souls desire, and therein you will have whatever you request' (Qur'an 41:31).

So, do not despair. Remember the example of our father Adam (AS). Return to Allah with sincere repentance and a firm resolve not to repeat the sin. Allah is Most Merciful and Forgiving. This journey of seeking forgiveness and striving to stay within the boundaries set by Allah is what builds our resilience and patience. In this world, we may not have it all, but in the hereafter, Allah (SWT) promises complete satisfaction in the most purest way for those who remain steadfast. So, keep striving, keep repenting, and keep returning to Allah, for His mercy is vast and His forgiveness is boundless.

These verses spell out God's love for us. He created the earth, the seven heavens, brought forth our father Adam as a dignified human being, gifting him with knowledge, asked the angels to prostrate before him, told him to enjoy all of the blessings in heaven with his spouse except one tree, and when Satan deceived them , Allah taught Adam how to repent - He did not leave him alone or not forgive him.  

To God belongs the greater example, just as a parent prepares a home for a child, teaches them, supports them to have enjoyment and when they make a mistake, guides them on how to make amends, God loves us and prepares us to be close to Him.

Do you feel His love for you ? 

Do you feel it surrounding you in the earth and the heavens? 

Do you feel it with you when you fall and return to Him ? 

Alhamdullilah, may we be always gifted with Allah's love.