Means of Forgivness & deliverance from Hellfire

Source: Asbab Magh-firatudh-Dhunoob. Published by Daar al-Watan

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

All thanks are due to Allah Who forgives and accepts repentance, and blessings and prayers be upon he who was sent as a mercy to the world, and upon  his family, his worthy Companions and those who follow them until the Day of Judgment.

Allah the Almighty said:

“Say: ‘O Ibadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily Allah forgives all sins. Truly He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.’” (Az-Zumar 39: 53)

And the Almighty said:

“And perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat) at the two ends of the day and in some hours of the night [i.e. the five compulsory Salat (prayers)]. Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds (i.e. small sins). This is a reminder (an advice) for the mindful (those who accept advice).” (Hud 11:114)

We all sin and we are all in such great need of forgiveness for the sins that we commit day and night. Out of Allah’s Mercy, He has given us many means of forgiveness. Any Muslim who takes advantage of these means will be gifted with His Forgiveness and Mercy. The only condition that He, the Almighty has set, is faith and purity from disbelief, because disbelief and setting up partners in worship with Allah the Almighty are inhibitors of forgiveness.

Allah the Almighty said:

“Verily! Allah forgives not (the sin of) setting up partners in worship with Him, but He forgives whom He wills of sins other than that…” (An-Nisaa 4: 116)

Means of Forgiveness of Sins

Allah the Almighty said:

“And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden (Paradise) as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for Al-Muttaqin (the pious).” (Aal-Imran  3:133)

Here are some means that Allah the Almighty stated for the forgiveness of sins and misdeeds, such that you will be relieved from depression and loss of hope of Allah Almighty’s Mercy and so that you may hurry to seek Allah’s Forgiveness and Pleasure.

1)    Islam: Allah the Almighty said:

“Say to those who have disbelieved, if they cease (from disbelief), their past sins will be forgiven…” (Al-Anfal 8: 38)

‘Amr ibn al-‘Aas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  “Are you not aware that Islam erases all the previous misdeeds……….?” [Muslim]

2)    Migration towards the way of Allah: This is to migrate from disbelief to Islam. Allah the Almighty said:

“Then, verily ! Your Lord – for those who immigrated after they had been put to trials and thereafter strove hard and fought (for the Cause of Allah) and were patient; verily, your Lord afterward is, Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (An-Nahl 16:110)

As in the previous Hadith, ‘Amr ibn al-‘Aas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) continued: “……and that migration erases all the previous misdeeds…?”

3) Performing Pilgrimage: As in the previous Hadith, ‘Amr ibn al-‘Aas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) continued: “……. and the pilgrimage erases all the previous misdeeds?”

Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Whoever performs Hajj for Allah’s Sake only and  does not have sexual relations with his wife, and does not do evil or commit sins, then he will return (after Hajj, free from all sins) as if he were born anew.” [Al-Bukhari]

4) Supplication when one hears the call to prayers: Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “If anyone, who after hearing the mu’adhdhin (call to prayer) says:

أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لا إله إلا الله وَحْدَهُ لا شريك له وأَنّ محمداً عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُوُلُه ، رَضِيتُ باللهِ رباًّ وبالإسلام ديناً وبمحمد  رسولاً

‘I testify that there is no ilah (deity worthy of worship) but Allah Alone, Who has no partner, and that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger and that I am satisfied with Allah as my Lord, with Islam as my deen (code of life) and with Muhammad as my Messenger,’ his sins will be forgiven.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

5)    Saying “Ameen”: He who says “Ameen” during, congregational prayers and it coincides with the angels’ Ameen: Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “If anyone of you says, ‘Ameen’ and the angels in the heavens say, ‘Ameen’ and the former coincides with the latter, all his past sins will be forgiven.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

6)    Praising Allah: Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “When the Imam says: ‘Sami Allahu liman hamidah (Allah heard those who sent praises and thanks to Him),’ you should say: ‘Allahumma  Rabbana lakalhamd  (O Allah! Our Lord! All the praises and thanks are for You),’ and if this saying of anyone of you coincides with that of the angels, all of his past sins will be forgiven.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

7)    Praying two Rak’ah without forget fullness (with attentive heart): The Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “He who performs wudu’ (ablution) and then prays two Rak’ah with attentive heart (and without forget fullness), all of his previous misdeeds will be forgiven.” [Ahmad]

8)    Touching the Black Stone and the Yemani Corner at the Ka’bah: Ibn ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Touching the Black Stone and the Yemani corner (of the Ka’bah) removes sins.” [Ahmad and authenticated by Al-Albani]

9)    Gatherings where Allah is praised: Sahl ibn Hanthala (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) reported that Allah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “When people get together to remember Allah and later depart, a voice from the heavens calls to them: ‘Get up! All your sins have been forgiven.’” [Ahmad and authenticated  by Al-Albani]

10)     Illness: Abi Omaymah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “If a servant of Allah gets sick, Allah tells His Angels: ‘I have bound My servant with shackles, so if I cause him to die I shall forgive him,  and if I release him, then he is without any sins.’” [Al-Hakim and authenticated by Al-Albani]

‘Aishah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) (the wife of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam)) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “No calamity befalls a Muslim but that Allah expiates some of his sins because of it, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn.” [Al-Bukhari]

Means of driving away Punishments

Shaikh ul-Islam ibn Taimiyyah (Rahimahullaah) said: “If a believer commits a sin, then the punishment is driven away by any of the following ten means:

1)    Repenting to Allah, because one who repents from a sin is like he who has no sin.

2)    Asking Allah’s forgiveness.

Note:

Repentance means to return to Allah, stop committing the sin, regret having done it and seek divine forgiveness and  not to repeat the sin.

3)    Performing good deeds so that it counteracts the sin he committed.  Allah the Almighty says:

“… Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds (i.e. the minor sins) …” (Hud 11:114)

His brethren believers supplicate for him whether he is dead or alive.

4)    His Muslim brethren offer him the rewards of their good deeds, so that Allah considers that as a benefit for him, e.g. performing Hajj or giving Sadaqah on behalf of him.

5)    Our Messenger Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) for him [on the Day of Resurrection].

6)    Going through trials which Allah afflicts him with in this life by sending him calamities in his self, his wealth, his children, his relatives and the people he loves.

7)    Going through the trials (turmoil) of the grave which Allah afflicts him in the Barzakh (calamities of the grave), so that he is forgiven.

8)    Allah afflicts him by the horrors of Doomsday till he is forgiven.

9)    Allah, the Most Merciful, grants him His Mercy.

If anyone does not achieve forgiveness through  these ten, then he should only blame himself. Allah the Almighty says:  “O My servants, it is but your deeds that I reckon for you and then recompense you for, so let him who finds good, praise Allah, and let him who finds other than that, blame no one but himself.” [Muslim]
Means of  Deliverance from the Hell-Fire

Just as Allah the Almighty made ways for forgiveness, acceptance and pardon, He has also made deeds that deliver the one who does them from the Hell-Fire:

“… And whoever is removed away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he indeed is successful …” (Aal- Imran 3: 185)

Some of these deeds are:

1)   He whose three children die, yet he is patient and steadfast. Wathel (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “He who has lost three of his children, Allah will save him from Hell-Fire.” [At-Tabarani and authenticated by Al-Albani]

2)    He who supports three daughters or sisters and is kind to them.  ‘Aishah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Anyone from my nation who supports three daughters or three sisters, and is kind to them, they become to him as a shield from the Hell-Fire.” [Al-Baihaqi and authenticated by Al-Albani]

3)    He who defends the honour of a believer while the latter is not present (i.e. in his absence).  Asmaa bint Yazeed (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “He who defends his brethren’s honor whilst he has been backbitten, Allah will deliver him from Hell-Fire.” [Ahmad and authenticated by Al-Albani]

4)    He who offers Salat (prayer) in congregation for forty days and is in time for the first takbir. On the authority of Anas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu),  who said that the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “He who offers prayers  in congregation for  forty days and is in time for the first takbir (of every prayer) will be free  from two things, one from Hell-Fire, and the other from hypocrisy.” [At-Tirmidhi and authenticated by Al-Albani]

5)    Good morality: Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “He who is soft, lenient and kind-hearted (having a polite and tender nature), Allah will save him  from Hell-Fire.” [Al-Hakim and authenticated by Al-Albani]

6)    He who maintains the Fajr and Asr prayers: Umarah ibn Ruwaibah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “He who observes prayer before the rising of the sun and its setting i.e., the dawn prayer and the afternoon prayer, will not enter the Hell-Fire.” [Muslim]

7)    Participating in Jihad:  ‘Aishah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  “He whose heart has been touched by the dust from fighting in the cause of Allah, will be delivered from Hell-Fire.” [Ahmad and authenticated by Al-Albani]

Means of Attaining Paradise

Allah the Almighty said:

“Verily! Those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah- Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous deeds, shall have the Gardens of Al-Firdaus (Paradise) for their entertainment.” (Al-Kahf 18:107)

“(They will enter) ‘Adn  (Eden) Paradise (everlasting Gardens), which the Most Beneficent (Allah) has promised to His slaves in the unseen …” (Maryam 19: 61)

1)    Pronouncing the two Shahadas (testimonies, to testify that there is no deity but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah) and performing ones’ deeds in accordance to that. On the authority of Ubadah ibn Samit (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) who narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Whoever says:  ‘I declare that there is no deity but Allah Alone, with no partners, and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger, and that Jesus is the servant of Allah and His Messenger, and His Word [“Be!” – and he (Jesus) was], which He bestowed on Maryam (Mary), and a spirit (Rûh)created by Him; and that Paradise is true and Hell-Fire is true,’ Allah will admit him to Paradise.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

2)    Recounting Allah’s Names: On the authority of Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu), who said that the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Allah has ninety nine Names, a hundred minus one (Name), he who (ahsaaha)[1]* recounts them, will be admitted to Paradise.” [Agreed upon]

3)    Reading Ayat al-Kursi (Al-Baqarah 2:255) after every prayer:  On the authority of Abi Umamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu), who narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “He who reads Ayat al-Kursi (Al-Baqarah 2:255) after each prayer, nothing will prevent him from  entering Paradise except his death.” [An-Nisa’i and authenticated by Ibn Hajar]

4)    Reading Surat Tabarak (Al-Mulk chapter 67).  On the authority of Anas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu), who said that the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  “A Surah in the Holy Qur’an which has only thirty Ayas (verses),  intercedes for he who reads it until it admits him to Paradise.” [At-Tabarani and authenticated by Al-Albani]

5)    Sadaqah (charity):  On the authority of Huthaifa (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu), who narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “He who gives charity seeking the Pleasure of  his Lord and ended his life with it,  he is granted access to Paradise.” [Ahmad and authenticated by Al-Albani]

6)    Sponsoring an orphan:  Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) reported that Allah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “One who looks after an orphan, whether he is his relative or not, I and he will be together in Paradise like this,” and Malik (explained it) with a gesture by drawing his index finger and middle finger close together.  [Al-Bukhari]

7)    Refraining from asking people for anything:  On the authority of Thawban (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu), who said that the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Anyone who guarantees me not to ask people for anything, I will guarantee for him Paradise.” Thawban said: “I do,” and after that he never asked anyone for anything.  [Abu Dawoud and authenticated by Al-Albani]

8)    Preserving one’s tongue and private parts:  Sahl ibn Sa’d (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  “Whoever can guarantee (the chastity of) what is between his two jaw-bones (i.e. his mouth and tongue) and what is between his two legs (i.e. his private parts), I guarantee Paradise for him.” [Al-Bukhari]

9)    Patience after losing one’s children and other beloved ones. On the authority of Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu), who said that the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Allah (Mighty and Sublime is He) says: ‘The reward for My faithful servant, if I have taken to Me his beloved friend or son from amongst the inhabitants of the world and he has borne it patiently for My sake, shall be nothing less than Paradise.’” [Al-Bukhari]

10)     A woman’s obedience to her husband: Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “If any woman performs the five (obligatory) prayers a day, fasts the month of Ramadan,  maintains her chastity, and obeys her husband, she is admitted to Paradise from whichever gate she chooses.” [Ibn Hibban and authenticated by Al-Albani]

11)   A woman who dies in labor:  On the authority of Rashed ibn Hubaish (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu), who said that the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Dying in the cause of Allah is martyrdom, dying by plague is martyrdom, drowning is martyrdom, dying from a stomach disease is martyrdom, dying due to burning is martyrdom, and (also) tuberculosis. The one who dies after giving birth, her child will pull her by the umbilical cord to Paradise.” [Ahmad and authenticated by Al-Albani]

12)     On the authority of Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu), who said that the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Whoever dies and is free from arrogance, Ghalool (taking illegally a part of the war booty), and debt will enter Paradise.” [At-Tirmidhi and authenticated by Al-Albani]

13)     The just ruler (or a person who has authority), the merciful person who is kind-hearted and the self-contented poor person who has children: Iyadh (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “The dwellers of Jannah are three: One who has authority and is just and charitable,  and a merciful man with a kind heart towards relatives and every Muslim, and a man of chastity who does not stretch his hand (beg) in spite of having a large family to support.” [Muslim]

14)     Being merciful to animals: Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “A man saw a thirsty dog eating the sand, so he filled his shoe with water and gave it to the dog to drink till the dog quenched his thirst. Then the man thanked Allah, so Allah admitted him to Paradise.” [Al-Bukhari]

15)     Removing obstacles and harm from the road:  Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “While a man was going on a way, he saw a thorny branch and removed it from the way of the Muslims lest it harm them, and Allah admitted him to Jannah on account of that.” [Muslim]

16)     To relieve someone in straitened circumstances: On the authority of Abu Mas’ud al-Ansari (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha), who said that the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said:

“A man from among those who were before you was called to account.  Nothing in the way of good was found for him except that he used to have dealings with people, and being well-to-do, he would order his servants to let off the man in straitened circumstances (from repaying his debt). He (the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam)) said that Allah said: ‘We are worthier than you of that (of being so generous). Let him off.’” [Muslim, Al-Bukhari and An-Nasa’i]

17) One who asks Allah for Paradise three times and seeks refuge from the Hell-Fire three times.   On the authority of Anas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu), who said that the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  “He who asks Allah for Paradise thrice, Paradise will say:  ‘O Allah, admit him into Paradise.’ And he who seeks refuge from Hell-Fire, Hell-Fire will say, ‘O Allah! grant him refuge from Hell-Fire.’” [At-Tirmidhi and authenticated by Al-Albani]

الّلهُمَّ إِنّي أَسْأَلُكَ الجَنّة وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ النَّار

Other Means of Deliverance

1)    Cleansing after impurification and praying two Rak’ah.  Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated:  At the time of Fajr prayer, the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said to Bilal (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu): “Tell me of the best deed you did after embracing Islam, for I have heard your footsteps ahead of me  in Paradise.” Bilal (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) replied: “I did not do anything worth mentioning except that whenever I performed wudu’ during the day or night, I prayed after that as much as was written for me.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

2)    Fasting the days of ‘Arafah and ‘Ashoora. Abu Qatadah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) was asked about observing the fast on the day of ‘Arafah. He (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) replied:  “It makes amends for the sins (committed) during the past year and the subsequent year.” And he (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) was asked about fasting the day of ‘Ashoora’ (the tenth day of Muharram). He (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) replied: “It atones for the sins of the past year.” [Muslim]

3)    He who cancels a business contract with a Muslim:  Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “He who (a Muslim) agrees for a Muslim to cancel (abrogate) a sale, Allah will raise him from his fall (loss).” [Abu Dawoud and authenticated by Al-Albani] [i.e. a Muslim foregoes undertaking a transaction that has  already been agreed with another Muslim even though it might incur him aloss will not benefit him].

We ask Allah Almighty to forgive us our sins and faults, and prayers and Allah’s Blessings are upon Prophet Muhammad, his family and his Companions thereafter. Ameen.