Jamiatul Ulama KZN Council of Muslim Theologians
Nasihah (Advice): Allah Ta’ala created you to forgive you
Sayyiduna Abdullah Ibn Abbas radiyallahu anhuma reported that Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, “The expiation of sin is regret. If you never sinned, Allah Almighty would surely bring about people who would sin so that He would forgive them.” [Musnad Ahmad]
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Question and Answer:
- I would wish to know if I committed Zina. The punishment for Zina is death by stoning or the like. Could I inflict the punishment on myself to win the favour of Allah and save my family from the continuous suffering of my actions?
(Question published as received)
- It is not permissible for you to punish yourself or take your own life due to committing Zina. You should resort to Taubah and should sincerely repent for your wrongdoing.
We are all prone to sin. However, a person who does not deny his sin and turns to Allah Ta‛ala in repentance, Allah Ta‛ala accepts his repentance. As long as you are alive you are given the opportunity to repent to Allah Ta‛ala. Even if you have repeatedly committed the sin again after repenting each time, if you sincerely repent and firmly decide to give it up forever then the sin that was committed each time will be washed away as if it never occurred.
This is understood from a narration in which Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam informs us of what Allah Ta‛ala says:
“My servant commits a sin then says, “Oh my Lord, forgive me for my sin.” ” So Allah the Almighty says, “My servant committed a sin and knew that he has a Lord that can forgive sins and can punish because of sins.” Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam mentioned this three times (i.e. this happens three times: the servant sins and repents each time). Thereafter, Allah Ta‛ala says, “Do as you please; I have forgiven you (meaning that no matter how many times you sin, if you repent, I will forgive you.)” (Musnad Ahmed)
Therefore, you should never despair of the forgiveness of Allah Ta‛ala even if you have committed a sin several times. It is not correct to despair of Allah’s encompassing Mercy and vast Forgiveness.
You should make sincere Tawbah (repentance) immediately with the conviction that it will be accepted. For your Tawbah (repentance) to be sincere a condition is that you make a firm decision in your heart not to commit the sin again.
We are all in need of the Mercy of Allah Ta‛ala. Therefore, it is imperative that you stay away from all sins. If you ever do commit a sin by weakness, you should immediately make sincere repentance, as Allah Ta‛ala loves those who repent often.
You should identify gatherings of Islaah (reformation) of the Ulama (scholars). Sit in the company of Ulama and pious people. That will generate Noor (light) in your heart and help you abstain from sinful acts.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Mufti Muhammed Hamza Farooqui
Mufti Taahir Hansa
(The answer hereby given is specifically based on the question asked and should be read together with the question asked. Islamic rulings on this Q&A newsletter are answered in accordance to the Hanafi Fiqh unless otherwise stated.)
Fatwa Department
Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)
Council of Muslim Theologians
223 Alpine Road, Overport
Durban, South Africa
Tel : +27 (0) 31 2077099
Email: fatwa@jamiat.org.za
Fax : +27(0) 31 2074163
Website : www.jamiat.org.za
