Despair is the Way of the Misguided

Written by: Abu Abdullah

Despair is not permissible because it constitutes ill-thinking about Allah in two ways:

1. A despondent person believes that Allah cannot accomplish something, whereas Allah is capable of everything at all times.
2. The person deems Allah's mercy to be incomplete, although Allah is Merciful and can show mercy to anyone at any time. A person who despairs of Allah's mercy is misguided.

Allah Almighty says:

وَمَنْ يَّقْنَطُ مِنْ رَّحْمَةِ رَبِّهٖٓ اِلَّا الضَّآلُّوْنَ [الحجر: ۵۶]​

"Only those who are astray despair of the mercy of their Lord." [Al-Hijr: 56]

Therefore, it is essential to keep the fear of Allah in one's heart along with hope for His mercy.

Causes of Despair​

Despair arises due to two reasons:

1. A person continues to wrong themselves and persist in their sins, resolutely maintaining them, and then loses hope in Allah's mercy, believing that they have eradicated the means for mercy. Eventually, this despair becomes a habit, which is the ultimate goal that Satan seeks to achieve from humans.
2. A person becomes so overwhelmed by fear due to their crimes that they ignorantly think that Allah will never forgive them, even if they sincerely repent. Thus, they lose hope in Allah's mercy.

Overcoming Despair​

A person should not persist in their sins but instead abandon them and make a sincere and firm repentance to Allah. They should hold the belief that even the gravest sins can be forgiven due to sincere repentance. This is the end of despair.