20 Wise Ways How to Gain Forgiveness in Islam

Review by : Yuli SE., MM

Every human has made a mistake. Mistake, an oversight is the inherent nature of human. This means that a good human is not a person who has never done wrong because that is impossible except the Prophet Muhammad. However, a good human is a human who realizes his mistakes and immediately repents to Allah and people that are hurt by us.

We have already known that asking forgiveness and gaining it is difficult to do because there are some people who don’t want to admit their mistake and some who can not forgive others mistakes. In Islam, being able to forgive the faults of others is one of the characteristics of a devoted person (muttaqin).

And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a Garden – its width (is like that of) the heavens and the earth prepared for the pious. Those who spend in [the] ease and (in) the hardship and those who restrain the anger and those who pardon [from] the people – and Allah loves the good-doers. (Al-Imran 3:133-134)

This is presented how to gain forgiveness from Allah and the people in Islam.

1. Apologize with good words

The acknowledgment of any wrongdoings is a commendable trait, in which every deed is done is acknowledged if it is our mistake. When we do it, we admit it and apologize with good words to someone that is hurt by us. He will feel happy and his heart will be healed when we apologize faster with good words and full of regret.

A word kind and (seeking) forgiveness (are) better than a charity followed [it] (by) hurt. And Allah (is) All-Sufficient, All-Forbearing. (Al-Baqarah 2:263)

2. Make a peace act

Doing nothing and not realizing our own mistake is not good because it can lead to the position where both sides do not agree to solve the problem. We should try to make a peace act so he will be more open-minded and want to forgive us.

Only the believers (are) brothers, so make peace between your brothers and fear Allah so that you may receive mercy. (Al-Hujurat 49:10)

3. Always stay in touch

We should never cut off our relationship with our friend because of some problems and mistakes. It will not solve our problem with him and we will never gain his forgiveness if we don’t want to contact him anymore. We should always stay in touch and greet him so he knows that we are still willing to apologize to him because of our mistakes. In Islam, it is the sins for everyone who cuts off his relationship with other people.

“Am I willing to tell you something that makes Allah glorify and elevate your life? The Companions answered; certain. The Prophet said: You must be patient with those who hate you, then forgive those who do wrong to you, give to those who oppose you and also contact the person who has cut off friendship with you.” (HR al-Thabrani)

4. Shake hands

This is a recommendation but some Muslims do it. If we shake hands with him then the forgiveness process will be more perfect and feels more beautiful. There is even doing it with hugging and there is also until kissing each other because of the regret of doing the mistake. In addition, our mistakes that create sins will be forgiven by Allah.

“It is not two Muslims meet then shake hands unless it will be forgiven for their both sins as long as not separated.” (HR Abu Daud no. 4343)

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5. Switch to another topic

This is the trick or the right way to gain forgiveness from him. It is possible that our mistake has made someone deeply feel hurt and maybe he is still too heavy-hearted to forgive us. However, he still respects the religious law or other reasons so he has forgiven us in his heart. If the forgiveness process is over, then make a new conversation that tells you what is fun and makes him happy, know how to make small talk and not to remember what has happened before.

6. Meet directly and apologize

It is common practice in our country to apologize with SMS or social media like Facebook, BBM, Twitter and other else. Some scholars say that this essence is not regarded as a legitimate apology and some say that apology is less than perfect. It also has not been said to be a perfect apology because the long-distance talk is so much different from the motive or the result of meeting in person. The immediate apology of the person concerned by meeting directly with him is the right apology. We will gain forgiveness easier because we can show our emotion when apologizing to him and it is more polite than using social media or SMS.

7. Do good deeds

Doing good deeds can make Allah and people happy so our mistake and sins can be slowly forgotten. Instead, they will remember our good deeds so they have already forgiven for what we have already done before. Doing good deeds also makes us get rewards from Allah because He has already commanded us to do it in our entire life.

And establish the prayer (at the) two ends (of) the day and (at) the approach of the night. Indeed, the good deeds remove the evil deeds. That (is) a reminder for those who remember. (Hud 11:114)

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8. Repent the sins

Many of us already feel guilty but instead, procrastinate to repent, for various reasons such as still doing the sin, even feel comfortable, ordinary, and proud of it. We will not get forgiveness from Allah because of these behaviors. Allah loves His servant who always repents his sins and tries to become a better Muslim.

So will not they turn to Allah and seek His forgiveness? And Allah (is) Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Al-Maidah 5:74)

Other:

“Every son of Adam (human) make mistakes, and the best of the guilty is repentant.” (HR At Tirmidzi)

9. Fix self and improve it

After doing mistakes and sins, we should look to ourselves and think about something that can make us change so we can fix them and improve ourselves to become a better Muslim. Allah likes His servant who is never satisfied and always improves himself. In addition, the mistakes and sins that we create in the past can become a lesson and experience to overcome the problems in the future.

But whoever repented after his wrongdoing and reforms, then indeed, Allah will turn in forgiveness to him. Indeed, Allah (is) Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Al-Maidah 5:39)

More Ways to Gain Forgiveness from Allah and People in Islam

Here is presented more ways to gain forgiveness from Allah and people in Islam.

Hang out and make him happy
Tell the reason why we did it
Never remind the mistake
Always say istighfar when doing mistake
Pray to Allah
Willing to accept punishment
Do not throw or blame our mistakes on others

That’s all how to gain forgiveness from Allah and people in Islam. Hope we can gain it and remove our sins in the life so we can get to the heaven without a problem.

Catra