Dear Islamic brothers, one of the harms of hoping to be forgiven despite committing sins is that a person becomes bold in committing wrong. To accept such ideas inspired by Satan after committing sins gives one the courage to sin in the future again instead of feeling remorse. Another harm caused is that such a person does not like it when given advice. And in some cases مَعَاذَاللہ such a person shows resentment towards the verses of the Quran and Hadith that speak of punishment. Remember that it is necessary (wajib) to be certain of Allah’s mercy, but it is wrong to perform sins on the basis of mercy.

Two ways of removing vain hopes

Dear Islamic brothers, to remove such vain hopes, reflect and ponder in this way that why many Muslims are punished in the grave and will be punished in the grave if it was simply a case of every sinful person being forgiven due to Divine mercy. Also, contemplate how nobody had greater belief in the mercy of Allah Almighty than the prophets عَلَیْہِمُ السَّلام, the companions عَلَیْہِمُ الرِّضْوَان and saints رَحِمَہُمُ اللہُ, and yet these pious personalities were not lazy in performing worship, reciting the Quran and many more good actions. Who holds a greater status in the court of Allah Almighty than our Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, and yet he remained busy in worshipping all night.

The Mother of the Believers, Sayyidatuna ‘Aaishah رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهَا said that ‘the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would get up at night and perform salah to the extent that his blessed feet swelled. I asked: ‘Why do you do this, whereas Allah Almighty has forgiven the sins of those before you and after you because of you?’ The Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم replied: ‘Should I not prefer being a grateful servant of Allah?’ (Bukhari, vol. 1, p. 384, Raqm 1130) 

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                                                                 صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Dear Islamic brothers, it is clear that we should hope for forgiveness due to the mercy from Allah Almighty whilst performing good deeds