"One thing that Allah don't forgive is obviously the murderer and that in it and I feel like I've heard in it from mom and family.. Do you know there there's a story?"
Can a man who committed murder find Redemption?
A chilling question isn't it? Yet it's a question we're going to explore today delving into the depths of remorse, forgiveness and redemption. The following story is based on a Hadith from Sahi Bukhari Volume 4 Book 56 Number 676.
Story begins in a time long past with a man who had heartlessly committed murders. Yes you heard it right 99 lives snuffed out with no mercy but then something stirred within him. A feeling he had not experienced before remorse he began to question his actions, his past, his very soul seeking redemption. He approached a learned man and he confessed his sins hoping for a path to forgiveness. "I wonder if Allah will pardon me?" he asked yet the scholar horrified by the enormity of his crimes told him that he was beyond redemption. The man in a fit of rage and despair killed the scholar too. His victim tally hitting a dark century but the spark of remorse wasn't extinguished.
It continued to burn pushing him to seek another wise man told him that he had killed 100 people, "I wonder he said whether Allah will pardon me if I repent.." This time he found a sage who saw the sincerity in his repentance and he assured the man that forgiveness was always within reach no matter the gravity of the sins. The condition is true repentance and a journey to a neighborhood of righteous people.
To start a new with hope rekindled the man embarked on his journey but fate had a different plan he died on the way just as the battle for his soul commenced in the celestial realm. The angels of punishment and mercy both stak their claim leading to a divine debate. The angels of punishment said that as a sinful person he rightfully belonged to them but the angels of mercy also claimed him saying he repented and had resolved to become a good man, he was on his way to a place where righteous people live but his appointed hour had came.
Gabriel was sent as an arbitrator to settle this affair. The verdict was simple, if the spot where he died was closer to the city of the good people his soul would be handed over to the angels of mercy but if it is nearer to the wicked people he will be given to the angels of punishment and then a miracle occurred, the spot where he breathed his last was moved by Divine intervention to just outside the city of the good people. His soul was handed over to the angels of mercy.
This story as dark and heavy as it may be carries a profound lesson, it emphasizes the importance of repentance and second chances. It tells us that no one is beyond redemption if the remorse is genuine and the desire for change is strong. It highlights the boundless forgiveness and mercy of the Divine reminding us that it is never too late to turn a new leaf. So the next time you find yourself questioning about repentance and redemption remember this tale and this verse of the Holy Quran:
"Except those who repent have faith and do good deeds for such people Allah will change their sins for good deeds certainly Allah is most forgiving and merciful.."
Remember that as long as there is life there is always a chance for repentance and redemption and even when life ends if remorse was sincere Divine Mercy might still be within reach.
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