 | Dr. Nabil Seyam is director of the Board of Administration of the Islamic Society of Wichita and Co-Founder of the Annoor Islamic School. He was the recipient of the Leader of the Year in 2002 in Wichita and most recently was the recipient of the Community Servant Award by the University United Methodist Church in 2003. Dr. Seyam was selected for the Community Servant Award because of his active role in peace-building and multiculturalism throughout Kansas. He is an adjunct instructor for Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University. He is married and has six children. He can be reached at (316) 630-9222 , by e-mail at nabil@seyam.org, or visit his website at www.seyam.org |
Religion
2004-06-01 09:59:00
Why repent when you’re going to commit the same sins again?
: What's the point of repenting your sins when you just know you will commit the same sins over and over again?
ANSWER: To understand why we have to repent daily, we must understand the meaning of repentance and to whom we repent to. Repentance means to come back to God and to have a guilt feeling in the heart with eagerness to a new page. In Islam, there is not what some have called "an original sin". Each individual is responsible for his/her own self. Each individual is rewarded or punished for his/her own deeds. Therefore, repentance is essential. Who is in need for repentance? The one who commits minor or major sin is in need for repentance. Even the one who repents is in need for repentance. You may claim that you don't commit sin, therefore, you are not in need for repentance. Or you may think you are not committing major sin, therefore, you are not in need for repentance. Well, let's examine our daily life and see how we spend most of our time. Lets evaluate each act and document each word we utter. You will be surprised to know that some of us are committing many major sins without realizing it. For example, how many of us worship God as He deserves to be worshiped? How many of us honor His parents, neighbors, His relatives, etc.? How many of us associate others with God…..The list never ends. Yes, we are in need for God and we are in need for repentance many times a day.We need to repent for sin which we have committed in the past and we forgot about it. God forgives all sins, but the first condition is repentance. He knows our ability and nature, therefore, He forgives and forgives. We have to ask God for forgiveness, do good deeds and quit committing the same sins. Life is full of temptations, not all of us are pious, therefore, the concept of repentance is very important. In the Holy Qur'an God says about Himself "He is the One who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful". The concept of repentance in Islam is a vital concept. It is renewal of oneself with God. As God states in the Holy Qur'an about His love for those who repents He also teaches us that when you repent, you purify yourself and elevate your self to a higher level "Allah loves those who turn into Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves". God is very explicit when it comes to those who reject or refuse to repent, He said "And those who do not repent are the ones who has transgressed".Repentance is not an act of burden, yet, billions of people don't have this concept in their heart. It is not even part of their ideology. The Devil said "My God I swear in Your Honor that I will continue to take Your people astray". God said, "In my Honor I will forgive them as long as they repent". This proves that the concept of repentance is connected to the concept of sin. As long as evil exists, is as long as people sin. As long as people sin, is as long as repentance is needed.To leave you with some wisdom I would like to quote one of the sayings of prophet Mohammad peace be with him "Most of the people of hellfire are those who say, I will repent tomorrow". Don't wait for tomorrow to repent, you may not make it to tomorrow. None of us know when the angel of death will approach us, therefore, repent and go back to God.We ask God to forgive our past, present and future sin and to make us among those who listen, comply, and act upon His words.
