📖Sahih Muslim 2768
Safwan b. Muhriz reported that a person said to Ibn ‘Umar: How did you hear Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying something about intimate conversation? He said: I heard him say: A believer will be brought to his Lord, the Exalted and Glorious, on the Day of Resurrection and He would place upon him His veil (of Light) and make him confess his faults and say: Do you recognise (your faults)? He would say: My Lord, I do recognise (them). He (the Lord) would say: I concealed them for you in the world. And today I forgive them. And he would then be given the Book containing (the account of his) good deeds. And so far as the non-believers and hypocrites are concerned, there would be general announcement about them before all creation telling them that these (people, i. e. non-believers and hypocrites) told a lie about Allah.
- This hadith emphasizes that Allah, in His mercy and forgiveness, had concealed those faults in the worldly life. On the Day of Resurrection, Allah forgives those faults, and the believer is granted the Book containing their good deeds. It is important to note that this hadith does not negate the concept of accountability and consequences for one’s actions in Islam. Islam teaches that there are specific punishments for certain crimes such as killing an innocent person or engaging in adultery. These punishments are prescribed in the Islamic legal system and are implemented in this world by the authorities. However, the hadith highlights that Allah, in His infinite mercy, may choose to forgive certain sins or faults on the Day of Resurrection. The ultimate decision of forgiveness rests with Allah. It is a reminder that while there are consequences for our actions in this worldly life, Allah’s forgiveness is vast and encompasses those who sincerely repent and seek His mercy.
It is important to balance between understanding the consequences of our actions in this world and having hope in Allah’s forgiveness and mercy in the hereafter. Islam teaches believers to strive to avoid sins, seek forgiveness for their shortcomings, and rely on Allah’s mercy while also adhering to the prescribed punishments for specific crimes in this worldly life.
