Need to overcome pessimism
6-7-2001 | IslamWeb
Question:
I wish I could be guided as to my fear that I am very far from Allah. My belief in Him has been reducing due to some mistakes I have made. I have asked for the Almighty to forgive me, but I still feel that I don't deserve His forgiveness nor His blessings. I am very afraid cause I feel that I am alone. Sometimes I feel that He has forgiven me but still feel that I cannot ask for anything with the belief that it will happen. I keep doubting my belief. How can I get rid of my fear, and how can I feel that Allah will answer my prayers. Please brothers and sisters guide me.
Answer:
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and blessings and peace be
upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.
Whenever a sinner returns to Allah in repentance and keeps firmly doing good deeds Allah accepts his repentance and forgives all his previous sins. Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {Say to those who have disbelieved, if they cease (from disbelief) their past will be forgiven.}[8:38].
Therefore, do not be concerned about sins committed previously after making repentance and asking Allah's forgiveness continuously.
does not matter how great the sins of Allah's slaves, His forgiveness and favor are greater than their sins. Sins are very small compared to the Mercy and Kindness of Allah; there is no comparison between
them at all. This fact is made clear in a Qudsi Hadith narrated from Anas (May Allah be pleased with him): "O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as it. So, Dear Brother, you should not despair about your sins, rather your
concern should be only to continue seeking forgiveness of Allah and
performing good deeds. Know that Satan is always eager to hinder you from making repentance. He always tries to cause you to despair of the Mercy of Allah. Being in despair of the Mercy of Allah is more offensive than the sin itself. So, you should cease the devilish insinuation and be sincere in your repentance and keep doing as many good deeds as possible. Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds (i.e. small sins). That is a reminder (an advice) for the mindful (those who accept advice).}[11:114].
Allah knows best.