Hadith #6933

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

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

مَنْ لَمْ يَقْبَلِ التَّوْبَةَ عَظُمَتْ خَطيئَتُهُ۔

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of accepting repentance and warns of the gravity of not doing so.

Let us delve into the meanings of some key words in this Hadith. (tawbah) "تَوْبَة" refers to repentance, which involves recognizing one's wrongdoing, feeling remorse, and resolving to change one's behavior. (azhumat) "عَظُمَتْ" means great or severe, indicating the magnitude of the sin. (khati'ah) "خَطِيئَة" refers to a sin or an error committed by an individual.

To understand the significance of accepting repentance, we turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:160),

Except for those who repent, believe and do righteous work. For them, Allah will replace their evil deeds with good. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.

This verse highlights the mercy of Allah, who forgives those who sincerely repent and engage in righteous deeds. By accepting repentance, one can escape the consequences of their sins and earn Allah's forgiveness.

Furthermore, in Surah At-Tahrim (66:8), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance. Perhaps your Lord will remove from you your misdeeds and admit you into gardens beneath which rivers flow.

This verse emphasizes the importance of sincere repentance and the hope for Allah's forgiveness and admission into Paradise.

Now, let us reflect on the impactful message of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith. By stating that

Whoever does not accept repentance, his sin is great,

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the consequences of refusing to repent. When an individual refuses to acknowledge their mistakes, they are essentially denying themselves the opportunity to seek forgiveness and rectify their actions. This refusal to accept repentance leads to the persistence of the sin and its weightiness in the sight of Allah.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) impactful saying serves as a reminder to Muslims of the importance of repentance and seeking forgiveness from Allah. It encourages us to reflect upon our actions, acknowledge our mistakes, and take the necessary steps to rectify them. By accepting repentance, we can alleviate the burden of our sins and strive towards a path of righteousness.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the significance of accepting repentance and warns of the gravity of not doing so. It reminds Muslims of the mercy of Allah, who forgives those who sincerely repent and engage in righteous deeds. By accepting repentance, we can escape the consequences of our sins and earn Allah's forgiveness. Let us strive to embrace repentance and seek forgiveness from Allah, for He is the Most Merciful and the Most Forgiving. May Allah guide us all on the path of righteousness and grant us His forgiveness.