Indeed, Allah the Mighty and Majestic has kept the doors of seeking forgiveness open for all those who have committed major sins, so that none may despair of Allah’s mercy. Even if they have committed sins and atrocities, such as shirk (associating partners with Allah), killing an innocent person and committing adultery etc. Thus Allah has kept the doors of repentance open for them, so that they may turn penitently to Allah from their evil acts before they die.

Allah (swt) says: “And those who invoke not any other ilah (god) along with Allah, nor kill such life as Allah has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse – and whoever does this shall receive the punishment. The torment will be double to him in the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide there in disgrace. Except those who repent and believe, and do righteous deeds, for those, Allah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allah is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful. And whosoever repents and does righteous good deeds, then verily, he repents towards Allah with true repentance.” (Al-Furqan: 68-71)

And here are the companions of the Ditch who disbelieves in Allah, oppressed and burnt the believing men and women. The believers had no fault except that they believed in Allah the Almighty, Worthy of all praise. The companions of the Ditch were torturing the believers in such a way that they would separate a child from its mother and would throw the child in the fire before her very eyes. They were sitting by the side of the ditch viewing and enjoying the torment of the believers. Moreover, they made every effort to turn the believers away from their religion, and in spite of all these atrocities that they had committed Allah kept open for them the doors of repentance, so that they may repent to Allah from their sins of oppression.

As Allah (swt) says: “Indeed, those who put into trial the believing men and women (by torturing them and burning them), and do not turn in repentance to Allah, will have the torment of Hell, and they will have the punishment of the burning Fire.” (Al-Buruj: 10)

Indeed, when you read this verse you will find the word Lam yatubu (they do not turn in repentance), which is an indication that if they turn in repentance to Allah, Allah would accept their repentance. Therefore, O Our Lord! How Forbearing You are! How Merciful You are!

The highway robbers are another example where Allah has kept the doors of repentance open for them, so that they repent and return to Him, and give up their corruption and to refrain from harming the people. Allah (swt) says: “The recompense of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and do mischief in the land is only that they shall be killed or crucified or their hands and their feet be cut off on the opposite sides, or be exiled from the land. That is their disgrace in this world, and a great torment is theirs in the hereafter. Except for those who (having fled away then) came back (as Muslims) with repentance before they fall into your power, in that case, know that Allah is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Al-Maidah: 33-35)

In addition, those people who ruined and abandoned their prayers and followed their desires. Allah also has kept opened them the doors of repentance, so that they may repent to Him, do good deeds, establish the prayer and refrain from following their desires.

Allah (swt) says: “Then, there has succeeded them a posterity who have given up prayers (i.e. made their prayers to be lost, either by not offering them or by not offering them perfectly or by not offering them in their proper fixed times) and followed lusts. Therefore, they will be thrown in Hell. Except those who repent and believe (in the Oneness of Allah and His Messenger Muhammad), and work righteousness. Such will enter Paradise and they will not be wronged in ought.” (Maryan: 59-60)

Furthermore, those people who slander the chaste believing women with adultery or fornication. Open for them too, are the doors of repentance. Allah (swt) says: “And those who accuse chaste women, and produce not four witnesses, flog them with eighty stripes, and reject their testimony forever, they indeed are the liars (rebellious or disobedient to Allah). Except those who repent thereafter and do righteous deeds, verily, Allah is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (An-Nur: 4-5)

In addition, the man who killed ninety-nine people, the doors of repentance were likewise open for him, who inquired about who is the most learned in the land and was directed to a monk, but unfortunately, the monk has scare knowledge and understanding. The monk informed him there is no repentance for him. The man then killed him and completed his hundred killings. The killer after sometime inquired again about who is the most learned person in this world? He was directed to a scholar. Accordingly, he went to him asking could he repent to Allah after killing hundred people. The scholar answered yes. Thereafter, he died and the Angels of mercy later took him (i.e., his soul instead of the Angels of punishment).

by Shaik Abu Abdullah Mustafa bin al-Adawi