While the days of Ramadan are passing, our hopes and duas that our sins will be forgiven, that Allah guide us to the straight path, and enlighten our hearts, minds, and eyes get more intensive and stronger. We get close to Allah by pleading to Him with His Highest Names and Attributes. Allah said in His Holy Quran, Surah Al-Nisaa, Aya 110,
”And whoever does evil or wrongs himself but afterwards seeks Allah’s Forgiveness, he will find Allah Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful”
وَمَن يَعۡمَلۡ سُوٓءًا أَوۡ يَظۡلِمۡ نَفۡسَهُۥ ثُمَّ يَسۡتَغۡفِرِ ٱللَّهَ يَجِدِ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٗا رَّحِيمٗا
If a believer makes sins, and we all do, we have to offer sincere repentance to be entitled to forgiveness. We recall names of Allah, such as Al-Gafaar, Al-Afuww, and Al-Tawab, these Beautiful names spread ease and peace in our hearts, the peace that helps us to repent and feel safe in the presence of Allah.
al-Ghafar
(The Great-Forgiver)
The Forgiver, The Ever-Forgiving, The Most-Forgiving
The One Who forgives the sins of His slaves time and time again. He sees our sins and disobedience, yet He still forgives and accepts the repentance of the sincere. He shows never-ending compassion and forgiveness, no matter how big or small the sin. He is the most forgiving and loves to forgive. It is never too late for anyone to repent, and in this blessed month while the saints are chained, the obstacles and enemies of the sons of Adam, you can ask forgiveness and mercy from Allah in the name of this beautiful month. Allah promised His slaves “But indeed, I am the Perpetual Forgiver of whoever repents and believes and does righteousness and then continues in guidance.” You just need to overcome laziness, you have an amazing chance in this Ramadan of reading Quran, Zikr, and Qiyamu Alial (night prayer).
Al-‘Afuww
(The Pardoner)
The Oft-Pardoning, The Effacer of Sins, The Eliminator of Sins
The One with wide forgiveness. The One who pardons sins and leaves no trace of any fault. The difference between forgiving and effacing is that there will be no trace or record of the offense being committed. It will be as if it had never happened. Forgiveness can happen, but marks of sins will still be there but with the name of Allah Al-Afuww all the traces of sins will be erased. One of the signs of His mercy is giving us the month of Ramadan. A chance for us to return to Him. A chance to race yourself and to do good deeds. In the month of Ramadan we repeat this Dua; “O Allah, You are Forgiving and love forgiveness, so forgive me” (اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي).
At-Tawab
(The Ever-Pardoning)
The Acceptor of Repentance, The Ever-Relenting, The Acceptor of our Return
The One Who grants repentance to whomever He willed among His creatures and accepts his repentance. Before we ask forgiveness, we need to repent, and we need to know that Allah will grant us Tawbah. From His Name A-Tawab, Allah tells us that He will turn to us, allowing for repentance. Allah is Merciful and turns to His servant, He gives us the chance to meet Him halfway. If you can admit your sins and shortcomings, it means your heart beats with Eman and love for Allah. Allah sent a beautiful message in His Quran to His believers and said “Allah wants to accept your repentance” (Quran 4:27). It is never too late to seek the forgiveness of your Lord. May Allah enlighten our hearts with Eman and the fear of Allah. May Allah strengthen our hearts on His Religion.
