Sometimes, we make plans to become better Muslims tomorrow. We intend to pray more consistently, leave a bad habit, correct our character, return to the Qur’an, or seek forgiveness for our shortcomings.
We tell ourselves that we still have time.
But the truth is that none of us knows how much time we have left.
Do not wait until Ramadan to return to Allah. Do not wait until you experience hardship before you remember Him. Do not wait until old age to take your Hereafter seriously.
If you have fallen into sin, repent.
If you have neglected your prayers, return to them.
If you have wronged someone, make things right where possible.
If you have drifted away from the Qur’an, begin again, even if you can only read a few verses each day.
Allah says:
“Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves.” — Qur’an 2:222
SubḥānAllāh! Look at the mercy of our Lord. He does not tell us that only those who have never sinned are worthy of His love. He tells us that He loves those who continually repent.
Do not allow Shayṭān to convince you that you have sinned too much to return to Allah. Despair is not the answer to your shortcomings. Sincere repentance, followed by an effort to change, is the way forward.
And remember, repentance is not merely saying Astaghfirullāh with the tongue while deliberately planning to continue in sin. It involves regretting the sin, stopping it, and sincerely resolving not to return to it. If you have violated another person’s rights, you must address those rights as appropriate.
You do not have to be perfect before you turn back to Allah. You turn back to Allah because you need His guidance, mercy, and forgiveness.
Start today. Return to Allah today. Take the next right step today.
May Allah forgive our sins, conceal our shortcomings, soften our hearts, guide us to sincere repentance, and grant us a beautiful ending upon īmān. Āmīn.
Umm Sumayyah Mai
Sometimes, we make plans to become better Muslims tomorrow. We intend to pray more consistently, leave a bad habit, correct our character, return to the Qur’an, or seek forgiveness for our shortcomings.
We tell ourselves that we still have time.
But the truth is that none of us knows how much time we have left.
Do not wait until Ramadan to return to Allah. Do not wait until you experience hardship before you remember Him. Do not wait until old age to take your Hereafter seriously.
If you have fallen into sin, repent.
If you have neglected your prayers, return to them.
If you have wronged someone, make things right where possible.
If you have drifted away from the Qur’an, begin again, even if you can only read a few verses each day.
Allah says:
“Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves.” — Qur’an 2:222
SubḥānAllāh! Look at the mercy of our Lord. He does not tell us that only those who have never sinned are worthy of His love. He tells us that He loves those who continually repent.
Do not allow Shayṭān to convince you that you have sinned too much to return to Allah. Despair is not the answer to your shortcomings. Sincere repentance, followed by an effort to change, is the way forward.
And remember, repentance is not merely saying Astaghfirullāh with the tongue while deliberately planning to continue in sin. It involves regretting the sin, stopping it, and sincerely resolving not to return to it. If you have violated another person’s rights, you must address those rights as appropriate.
You do not have to be perfect before you turn back to Allah. You turn back to Allah because you need His guidance, mercy, and forgiveness.
Start today. Return to Allah today. Take the next right step today.
May Allah forgive our sins, conceal our shortcomings, soften our hearts, guide us to sincere repentance, and grant us a beautiful ending upon īmān. Āmīn.
Umm Sumayyah Mai
