Ibn Majah

1؎: Such a town in which there is no good or virtue; it is mentioned in Fath al-Bari that this was a town of disbelievers.

2؎: Subhan Allah! If one considers the mercy and grace of the Master, such hope arises that it seems as if no sinner will be punished. And if one reflects upon His wrath, justice, and might, then upon seeing the state of one’s own deeds, such fear overtakes that only Allah’s protection can save. Faith is precisely that the believer remains between fear (khawf) and hope (raja’). If fear becomes so dominant that hope is entirely lost, then a person is misguided; and if hope becomes so dominant that fear disappears, then too he is outside the people of guidance and the people of the Sunnah. From this hadith, it is understood that a person should never abandon the thought of repentance for sins (no matter how great they may be), and should not despair of Allah’s mercy because of sins. He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy, the Benefactor of His servants, and His statement is: «رحمتى سبقت غضبى» meaning, “My mercy has overtaken My wrath.” And the Noble Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) says: «مغفرتك أرجى عندي من عملي» meaning, “O Lord, I have more hope in Your forgiveness than in my own deeds.” And it is also understood that the repentance of a Muslim murderer can be accepted, although there is no doubt that the killing of a believer is a very great sin, and the recompense for a believing murderer is that Allah’s punishment descends upon him—whether in this world, the Hereafter, or both. However, due to this hadith and similar hadiths which increase hope, no one should think that sins will necessarily be forgiven. Then what need is there to avoid sin, since punishment for sin is already known from Allah’s promise? Now, forgiveness is in the Master’s discretion; the servant can never know whether his repentance has been accepted or not, and whether he will be forgiven or not. Therefore, to commit sin based on such an imagined notion and to rely upon Allah’s forgiveness is great foolishness and ignorance. One should always avoid sin, especially regarding the rights of people (huquq al-‘ibad), and if, unfortunately, a sin is committed, then he should repent from it with all his heart and soul, plead and weep before his Master, and make a firm resolve never to commit such a sin again. Then, who knows, the Master may forgive his sin—He is the Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.