Hawzah News Agency - One of the things that is beloved to God Almighty is repentance. Therefore, Imam Sajjad (peace be upon him) pleads with God in this way:

«اللَّهُمَّ ... صَیِّرْنَا إِلَی مَحْبُوبِکَ مِنَ التَّوْبَةِ.»

“O God! Change our path towards repentance, which is beloved to You.”

(Sahifah Sajjadiyyah, Suplication no. 9)

Explanation:

Repentance is a manifestation of God’s infinite grace and mercy.

Repentance means that God is never pleased with separation from His servant. Therefore, the path of return for God’s servant is open, in every moment and every place.

In a very thought-provoking narration, Imam Baqir (peace be upon him) says regarding the virtue of repentance:

“God Almighty is happier with the repentance of His servant than a man who, in a dark night, in a desert, loses his camel and provisions and suddenly finds them.”

(Bihar al-Anwar, v. 6, p. 90)

What is even more remarkable is that the ability to repent and return to God Almighty also comes from the Divine itself!

The Quran states in this regard:

«ثُمَّ تَابَ عَلَیْهِمْ لِیَتُوبُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِیمُ.»

“Then He turned to them (mercifully) that they might turn (to Him); surely Allah is the Oft-returning (to mercy), the Merciful.”

(Chapter Tawbah, Verse no. 118)

In fact, a person’s repentance is situated between two repentances of God. Initially, God Almighty grants His servant the ability (or tawfiq) to repent. Then, the servant repents, and ultimately, God Almighty accepts their repentance out of His mercy.

Truly, such a Merciful God is praiseworthy.

But what makes the relationship between the servant and God the Almighty in this “return” more thought-provoking and amazing are the steps that God takes for the repentant person.

- The first divine step for the repentant person is that He accepts their repentance.

«هُوَ الَّذِی یَقْبَلُ التَّوْبَةَ عَنْ عِبادِهِ.»

“It is He who accepts the repentance of His servants.”

(Chapter Shura, Verse no. 25)

- In the next step, God forgives their sins and wrongdoings.

«وَ یَعْفُوا عَنِ السَّیِّئاتِ.»

“and pardons the evil deeds.”

(Chapter Shura, Verse no. 25)

- In the following step, He transforms all the sins and wrongdoings of His servant into beauty and good deeds.

«فَأُوْلئِکَ یُبَدِّلُ اللَّهُ سَیِّئاتِهِمْ حَسَناتٍ.»

“God will replace their misdeeds with good deeds”

(Chapter Furqan, Verse no. 70)

- And the last divine step is the most beautiful one. God says to the repentant person: “I love you.”

«إِنَّ اللَّهَ یُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِینَ.»

“Truly Allah loves those who turn unto Him”

(Chapter Baqarah, Verse no. 222)

Indeed, can such a Merciful God be abandoned?

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