Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

141. What is the concept of repentance (Tawbah) in Islam?

Answer: The concept of repentance, known as "Tawbah," is fundamental and profound, emphasizing the mercy and forgiveness of God. Tawbah means returning to Allah after

 committing sins or making mistakes, seeking His forgiveness, and committing oneself to avoid repeating those sins. Here are key aspects of Tawbah in Islamic teachings:

       1. Sincere Regret: The first step in true repentance is genuine remorse for having committed the sin. This involves acknowledging that the act was wrong and feeling sorry for

           disobeying Allah.

      2. Immediate Cessation of the Sin: To repent, one must immediately stop committing the sin for which they are repenting. This demonstrates a serious commitment to change

           and a desire to align one's actions with the teachings of Islam.

      3. Firm Resolution Not to Return to the Sin: A person must make a firm intention not to return to the sin in the future. This involves making a personal commitment to steer clear

          of circumstances that may lead to the sin and taking proactive steps to avoid falling into the same patterns of behavior.

      4. Seeking Forgiveness: The act of seeking forgiveness involves directly asking Allah for pardon. This can be done through prayer, supplication (Dua), and performing good deeds

          that can help atone for the wrongdoing.

      5. Making Amends: If the sin involved wronging another person, part of repentance includes rectifying the wrong or compensating the person harmed. This could mean returning

          stolen property, apologising for a transgression, or any other action that would reasonably make amends for the harm caused.

Tawbah is not only a duty but a privilege in Islam, reflecting Allah's infinite mercy and compassion. It is encouraged at any time and any number of times, as Allah's forgiveness is

 seen as boundless. The Qur'an repeatedly emphasizes that Allah is Most Merciful and Forgiving, and He loves to forgive those who turn to Him in sincere repentance. This openness

 to forgiveness is intended to motivate Muslims to maintain a close and constant connection with Allah, continually striving to improve themselves spiritually and morally.

142. What sins are considered to be unforgivable?

Answer: The concept of unforgivable sins is focused primarily on one major sin: Shirk (Polytheism). Shirk refers to the act of associating partners with Allah, which means assigning

 divine attributes to others besides Allah, including worshipping idols or other deities alongside Allah. This is considered the gravest sin in Islam.

 

The Qur'an repeatedly emphasizes that Allah does not forgive the association of partners with Him but may forgive any other sin if He wills. Here is a key verse from the Qur'an:

"Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allah has certainly fabricated a

 tremendous sin." (Surah An-Nisa 4:48)

 

Please note: The unforgivable nature of shirk applies if a person dies without having repented from it. However, if a person repents sincerely before death, even this sin can be forgiven.

 The key lies in genuine repentance and turning back to Allah with sincere faith.

143. What is the concept of intention (Niyyah) in Islam?

Answer: The concept of intention, known as "Niyyah," is central to all acts of worship and daily actions, reflecting the profound spiritual and ethical dimension of Islamic teachings.

 Niyyah relates directly to the purity and sincerity of a person's inner thoughts when performing any deed, whether it's a religious ritual or a mundane activity. It signifies the purpose and

 motivation behind an action. It is the precondition that defines the validity and spiritual quality of every act of a Muslim.

 

Niyyah is thus foundational in Islam, permeating every aspect of a Muslim’s life. It ensures that the heart and actions are aligned in seeking God’s pleasure, highlighting the intrinsic

connection between outer actions and inner spirituality in Islam. This focus on intention elevates the spiritual status of every act, reminding Muslims to live consciously and

 purposefully according to their faith.

144. Who is Shaitan (Satan)?

Answer: In Islamic theology, Shaitan (also spelled Shaytan) is the term used to refer to Satan, originating from the Arabic word for "adversary" or "tempter." Shaitan is considered a being

 who tries to distract human beings from the right path. He can be from Jinn, created from fire or from human beings. The first Symbolic Shaytan is known as “Iblis” who was among the

 angels although he was originally from the Jinn, who are created from smokeless fire. Unlike angels who are made of light and do not have free will, jinn have free will, allowing them to

 make choices and be held accountable for their actions. Iblis was once pious and served Allah but fell from grace due to his arrogance and disobedience. 

 

After his disobedience, Iblis asked for the ability to try to lead humans astray until the Day of Judgment, which Allah granted as a test for humanity until the day which is known to Allah

 only. Thus, Shaitan’s primary role is to tempt humans into straying from the path of righteousness and committing sins. He does this by whispering doubts and evil thoughts, known as

 "waswasa," into their hearts and minds. Sometimes, the same role is played by human beings to tempt other human fellows into straying from right path. The last chapter of the holy

 Quran describes this fact:

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

 Say: 'I seek protection of the Lord of humans, (1) The King of humans, (2) The God of humans,(3) From the evil of the sneaky tempter. (4) Who puts temptations into the chests of

 humans, (5) from among the jinn and humans.”(6)

145. If God loves humanity, why does He allow Shaitan to lead them astray?

Answer: God's justice extends even to Shaitan; He endowed Shaitan with certain powers as a reward for his earlier virtues. These abilities of Shaitan serve as a means for God to test

 humans. Importantly, Shaitan cannot compel anyone to commit evil acts; he can only tempt and mislead. Humans possess free will to make choices and are therefore accountable for

 overcoming these temptations. Regularly reciting the Qur’an, praying, and seeking Allah’s protection are recommended practices to shield oneself from Shaitan’s influence.

146. What is the concept of Shafaa’ah (intercession)?

Answer: The concept of Shafaa'ah (intercession) in involves a mediator or intercessor who pleads on behalf of a sinner for forgiveness or relief from punishment in the hereafter.

 This belief is grounded in the teachings of the Quran and the Hadith, with variations in emphasis and interpretation among different Islamic theological schools.

Quranic References: The Quran contains several verses that discuss the conditions and reality of intercession. For example: Surah 2:255 (Ayat al-Kursi) mentions that no one can

 intercede with Allah except after His permission.

Surah 20:109, states that on that day, intercession will not benefit anyone except for the one whom Allah has permitted and is pleased with.

Surah 21:28 clarifies that those granted permission to intercede are those who testify to the truth and are well-acquainted with it.

There are numerous hadiths elaborate on the specifics of intercession, describing how the Prophet Muhammad, the prophets, his holy progeny, the martyrs, and the righteous, may

 intercede for believers on the Day of Judgment.

Overall, the concept of Shafaa'ah is an integral part of Islamic eschatology, providing hope and mercy within the framework of divine justice. It underscores the importance of

 righteousness, the mercy of God, and the special status of the Prophet, his Ahlul Bayt and other pious individuals within the Islamic tradition.

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