Hadith #6698

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

إعادَةُ الاِعْتِذارِ تَذْكِيرٌ بِالذَّنْبِ۔

This can be translated as,

Repeating the apology is a reminder of the sin.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this profound statement by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of the Quran. The word (i'ththar) "اِعْتِذارِ" refers to seeking forgiveness or apologizing for a mistake or wrongdoing. The word (tadhkir) "تَذْكِيرٌ" means a reminder, while (dhanb) "الذَّنْبِ" signifies a sin or transgression.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of seeking forgiveness and repeatedly reminding ourselves of our sins. In Surah Al-A'raf (7:23), Allah says,

They 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.'

This verse highlights the recognition of wrongdoing and the need for seeking forgiveness.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:286), Allah states,

Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred. Our Lord, and lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us. Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us. You are our protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people.

This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking forgiveness for both intentional and unintentional mistakes.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement highlights the significance of repeating the apology as a means of reminding ourselves of our sins. It serves as a constant reminder to avoid repeating the same mistakes and to strive for self-improvement. By acknowledging our faults and seeking forgiveness, we become more conscious of our actions and are motivated to rectify our behavior.

Repeating the apology also demonstrates sincerity and humility. It shows that we are truly remorseful for our actions and are committed to making amends. This act of humility is highly regarded in Islam, as Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11),

O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers.

Repeating the apology also has consequences beyond personal growth. It fosters a culture of forgiveness and reconciliation within the Muslim community. It encourages others to forgive and let go of grudges, promoting unity and harmony. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah An-Nur (24:22),

And let not those of virtue among you and wealth swear not to give [aid] to their relatives and the needy and the emigrants for the cause of Allah, and let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement,

Repeating the apology is a reminder of the sin,

highlights the importance of seeking forgiveness and constantly reminding ourselves of our mistakes. It serves as a means of self-reflection, motivation for self-improvement, and fostering a culture of forgiveness within the Muslim community. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to acknowledge our faults, seek forgiveness sincerely, and strive to become better individuals.