This is a continuation of the article:
Three Things that Prevent Calamities (Part 1)
Three Things that Prevent Calamities (Part 2)
This is the third part of the article that depicts what three things can avert calamities and trials from a person’s life. The first thing mentioned was Du’a and the second thing mentioned was looking after the welfare for others. In this article the third aspect is mentioned.
Constant Repentance (Istighfar)
The third thing that prevents disaster and anxiety from reaching you is constant repentance. Repentance has many benefits, some of which are mentioned below:
Repentance is a means of seeking forgiveness for sins
Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) says in the Holy Qur’an:
وَمَن يَعْمَلْ سُوءًا أَوْ يَظْلِمْ نَفْسَهُ ثُمَّ يَسْتَغْفِرِ اللَّهَ يَجِدِ اللهَ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا
“And whoever does a wrong or wrongs himself but then seeks forgiveness of Allah will find Allah Forgiving and Merciful.”
[An-Nisa: 110]
Repentance leads to the forgiveness of sins and to the elevation of ranks
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“A man will be raised in status in Paradise and will say: ‘Where did this come from?’ And it will be said: ‘From your son’s praying for forgiveness for you.'”
(Sunan Ibn Majah 3660)
Repentance leads to the descent of rain, the increase of wealth and children and the entrance into Paradise
In Surah Nuh, Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ)’s guidance is conveyed through the words of Prophet Nuh (peace be upon him):
فَقُلْتُ اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهُ كَانَ غَفَّارًا يُرْسِلِ السَّمَاءَ عَلَيْكُم مِّدْرَارًا وَيُمْدِدْكُم بِأَمْوَالٍ وَبَنِينَ وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ جَنَّاتٍ وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ أَنْهَارًا
And said, ‘Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is ever a Perpetual Forgiver. (10) He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in [continuing] showers (11) And give you increase in wealth and children and provide for you gardens and provide for you rivers.
[Nuh: 10-12]
Repentance is a means of increasing strength and power in all aspects
Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) says in the Holy Qur’an:
وَيَا قَوْمِ اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ ثُمَّ تُوبُوا إِلَيْهِ يُرْسِلِ السَّمَاءَ عَلَيْكُم مِّدْرَارًا وَيَزِدْكُمْ قُوَّةً إِلَىٰ قُوَّتِكُمْ وَلَا تَتَوَلَّوْا مُجْرِمِينَ
And O my people, ask 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]
Repentance is the cause of Provision for life
Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) says in the Holy Qur’an:
وَأَنِ اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ ثُمَّ تُوبُوا إِلَيْهِ يُمَتِّعْكُم مَّتَاعًا حَسَنًا إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى وَيُؤْتِ كُلَّ ذِي فَضْلٍ فَضْلَهُ
And [saying], “Seek forgiveness of your Lord and repent to Him, [and] He will let you enjoy a good provision for a specified term and give every doer of favor his favor.
[Hud: 3]
Repentance is the means of salvation from the punishment of the world and the hereafter
Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) says in the Holy Qur’an:
وَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَأَنتَ فِيهِمْ وَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ مُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَهُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ
But Allah would not punish them while you, [O Muhammad], are among them, and Allah would not punish them while they seek forgiveness.
[Al-Anfal: 33]
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“A servant is protected from the punishment of Allah as long as he repents.”
(Musnad Ahmad 23953)
Repentance is the cause of the descent of mercy
Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) says in the Holy Qur’an:
قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ لِمَ تَسْتَعْجِلُونَ بِالسَّيِّئَةِ قَبْلَ الْحَسَنَةِ لَوْلَا تَسْتَغْفِرُونَ اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ
He said, “O my people, why are you impatient for evil instead of good? Why do you not seek forgiveness of Allah that you may receive mercy?”
[An-Naml: 46]
Repentance is the means of purifying hearts
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Verily, when the slave (of Allah) commits a sin, a black spot appears on his heart. When he refrains from it, seeks forgiveness and repents, his heart is polished clean. But if he returns, it increases until it covers his entire heart. And that is the ‘Ran’ which Allah mentioned: ‘Nay, but on their hearts is the Ran which they used to earn.’”
(Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3334)
Repentance is the cause of proximity to Allah
Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) says in the Holy Qur’an:
هُوَ أَنشَأَكُم مِّنَ الْأَرْضِ وَاسْتَعْمَرَكُمْ فِيهَا فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ ثُمَّ تُوبُوا إِلَيْهِ إِنَّ رَبِّي قَرِيبٌ مُّجِيبٌ
“He has produced you from the earth and settled you in it, so ask forgiveness of Him and then repent to Him. Indeed, my Lord is near and responsive.”
[Hud: 61]
Repentance is the cause of Allah’s love and His grace and kindness
Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) says in the Holy Qur’an:
وَاسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ ثُمَّ تُوبُوا إِلَيْهِ إِنَّ رَبِّي رَحِيمٌ وَدُودٌ
“And ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him. Indeed, my Lord is Merciful and Affectionate.”
[Hud: 90]
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said:
“Whoever says the following, then Allah will forgive him, even if he fled from battle:
أستغفرُ اللهَ العظيمَ الذي لا إلهَ إلَّا هو الحيَّ القيومَ وأتوبُ إليه
‘I seek the forgiveness of Allah the Mighty, Whom there is none worthy of worship except Him, the Living, the Eternal, and I repent to Him’,
(Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3577)
Repentance is the cause of a firm stance for the dead in the grave
Narrated Uthman ibn Affan:
“Whenever the Prophet (ﷺ) became free from burying the dead, he used to stay at him (i.e. his grave) and say: Seek forgiveness for your brother, and beg steadfastness for him, for he will be questioned now.”
(Sunan Abi Dawud 3221)
May Allah grant us the ability to do good deeds and protect us from all types of disasters, anxieties, and difficulties. Ameen.
