Hadith #1349

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

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

المؤمن منيب، مستغفر، تواب

which translates to

A believer is penitent, repentant and remorseful.

Let us delve into the profound meanings of these words and explore their significance in light of the Quran.

The first word to be examined is (muneeb) "منيب", which refers to a person who constantly turns back to Allah in repentance and seeks His forgiveness. This word emphasizes the importance of recognizing our shortcomings and sins, and sincerely returning to Allah with a repentant heart. The Quran beautifully describes this quality in Surah Al-Tahrim, verse 8:

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 [on] the Day when Allah will not disgrace the Prophet and those who believed with him. Their light will proceed before them and on their right; they will say, 'Our Lord, perfect for us our light and forgive us. Indeed, You are over all things competent.'

This verse emphasizes the importance of sincere repentance and turning back to Allah, as it leads to the forgiveness of our sins and the attainment of His mercy. A true believer is always aware of their flaws and seeks forgiveness from Allah, constantly striving to improve themselves.

The second word in the Hadith is (mustaghfir) "مستغفر", which means seeking forgiveness from Allah. Seeking forgiveness is an essential aspect of a believer's life, as it demonstrates humility and recognition of our dependence on Allah's mercy. The Quran repeatedly encourages seeking forgiveness, as seen in Surah Hud, verse 3:

And [saying], 'Seek forgiveness of your Lord and repent to Him, [and] He will let you enjoy a good provision for a specified term and give every doer of favor his favor. But if you turn away, then indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a great Day.'

This verse highlights the importance of seeking forgiveness from Allah, as it leads to His blessings and provisions. It is a means of purifying our souls and seeking His mercy and guidance.

The third word in the Hadith is (tawwab) "تواب", which refers to Allah's attribute of being the Accepter of Repentance. This attribute signifies Allah's infinite mercy and His willingness to accept the repentance of His servants. The Quran beautifully describes this attribute in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 37:

Then Adam received from his Lord [some] words, and He accepted his repentance. Indeed, it is He who is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful.

This verse reminds us that Allah is the One who accepts our repentance and forgives our sins when we sincerely turn to Him. A true believer constantly seeks Allah's forgiveness and relies on His mercy and forgiveness.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of these qualities in a believer's life. A believer is always aware of their shortcomings and sins, and they constantly turn back to Allah in repentance, seeking His forgiveness. This constant cycle of repentance and seeking forgiveness leads to spiritual growth and a stronger connection with Allah.

By being penitent, repentant, and remorseful, a believer acknowledges their mistakes and strives to rectify them. This leads to self-improvement and a closer relationship with Allah. It also serves as a reminder that we are all fallible and in need of Allah's mercy and forgiveness.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of being penitent, repentant, and remorseful as a believer. These qualities are deeply rooted in the teachings of the Quran, which emphasize the significance of seeking Allah's forgiveness and turning back to Him in repentance. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to embody these qualities and seek His forgiveness sincerely.