Our heart knows our deepest sins

THE EDITOR: Our religion of Islam came to give hope and guidance and salvation to sinful mankind. Somehow, we have lost the understanding of its purpose, and rather than seeking out the consolations and assurances which Allah has bestowed through it, we have come to use it as the yardstick to measure the worth of men and to predetermine who shall fill the ranks of hell and be fuel for the fire.

Each of us in our heart knows our deepest sins and failings, our dark desires and urgings. We are all common frail humankind, and all the sins of our forebears are potentially in us and some of us may falter more publicly than others. We do not need anyone to reveal our sins, nor to tell us the truth of ourselves. We need to be reminded that our sinfulness is not unique to ourselves and that with exertion and perseverance we may overcome the pitfalls that were created for man’s abasement. We also need to be aware of that which incurs sin, so we need to know the laws that govern our behavioural patterns. But most of all, we desperately need to know of those things which will nullify our sins of commission and omission, so that even though we may have sinned in human weakness, we may escape the wrath of the Divine Master when we stand before Him on the day of fearful standing.

There are many guidelines to be washed clean of our sins and to escape its consequence which the Quran provides. The lessons are there and these are the lessons which this series seeks to bring forth in sermons of hope. Recall that no sin is greater than Allah’s Mercy. Bearing in mind that at all times, we should repent for all of our sins, even for our repeated sins, hope is given to us in explicit terms. Sura 4:147 states with amazing Grace: “What concern does Allah have for your punishment if you are thankful and believe? Allah is ever Responsive, Aware.” Ponder well these soothing words of hope and forgiveness. Let us practice and exhibit gratitude to Allah for His kindness to us by being submitters to His Divine Will with less complaining and remonstrating and more exertion in His Way. And may He have mercy on us all.

M F RAHMAN
Chaguanas