There are two ways we can react after doing wrong. We can, like Satan, respond with arrogance, and even go so far as to blame God. Or we could do as Adam and Eve did, and say: “Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves. If You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.” Sincere repentance begins with recognizing that we have wronged ourselves and trusting in the Mercy that awaits our return.
We have all come across people who insist on blaming others for their mistakes. Some even have the audacity to place the blame on God, and even come out and say it. But is this the manner in which we ought to be thinking of, and talking to, our Creator?
Hello and welcome to this episode of “God in His Own Words”, where we will try to get better acquainted with God through the Holy Qur’an rather than the words of others.
We’re in the eighth day of the month of Ramadan: the month when one can feel God nearer to them.
From the Eighth Part (Juz') of the Qur’an, we will recite verse 23 of Sūrah Al-A‘rāf:قَالَا رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَا أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ
"They both said: 'Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.'"Who are the "two" who are uttering these words of prayer?
This is Prophet Adam and his wife, after Satan had deceived and led them toward the tree that God had forbidden.
The scene is depicted beautifully in the Holy Qur'an . God Almighty presents two contrasting ways in which one might behave after making a mistake:
1.First there is Satan, who errs, and when God asks him, "Did I not command you to prostrate [to Adam]? Why did you not prostrate?" Satan refuses to express remorse. He replies with arrogance: "I am better than him. You created me from fire and him from clay." It’s not your place to judge the worthe and value of God’s creations. You’re supposed to obey Him without any excuses.
2.Then there is Prophet Adam and his wife, Eve, who also err, but as narrated in the Qur'an, they say: "Rabbanā" (Our Lord). Our Guardian, our Owner, our Master! They are expressing deep remorse. They say: We have done wrong, we accept it. We wronged ourselves. If You do not forgive us, and do not have mercy on us, we will certainly be among the losers.
Look at the difference. When a person, God forbid, commits a sin, sometimes they say: "I will go to God and say, 'O God, forgive me. Astaghfirullah wa Atūbu Ilayh (I seek forgiveness from God and I repent and return to Him).'"
But the subtle point in this verse is that they confess and admit: "We wronged ourselves."
This is a critical key to truly seeking forgiveness and repentance: that I must say, "O God, I am the one who committed the wrong deed "
It is interesting that when God Almighty speaks about Prophet Yoonus (Dhū an-Nūn) in Sūrah Al-Anbiyā' (The Prophets), He says:وَذَا النُّونِ إِذ ذَّهَبَ مُغَاضِبًا فَظَنَّ أَن لَّن نَّقْدِرَ عَلَيْهِ فَنَادَى فِي الظُّلُمَاتِ أَن لَّا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
"...[Yoonus] called out in the darknesses, 'There is no deity except You; Exalted are You! Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.'"He said: "God, You are good, You are pure and flawless. I alone am responsible for my mistakes."
It is at this point that the Qur'an says: "Fāstajabnā lahu" (So We responded to him) — We saved him.
Look at how kindly, how simple, how unassuming, and how sincerely God is inviting His people to repent
As if God is saying: Do you realise that you were the one who messed things up?
"Yes, my God, I know."
"Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers."
If we come to know God this way, then we will not needlessly blame Him for our misery.
It is us who has committed the wrong, and it is God who forgives.
Tune in next time, and join us on our journey towards getting better acquainted with God through His own words. Inshā'Allāh, He Himself will lead us to the right path.