Ain Al-Hayat, The Essence of Life.pdf - Higher Intellect | Content ...

alms to the poor and deserving in addition to expressing penitence for the sin
committed. There are certain Rights of Allah (Huqooq Allah), for the transgression
of which there are Juristic (Sharaee) punishments prescribed. For example, if a
person has taken intoxicating beverages. Till the Jurist (Hakim e Shara) doesn’t
know about his act, the person has to approach him to confess his sin and express his
penitence. But it is better he abstains from revealing his act and silently expresses
his penitence to Allah. If in his sin, he has deprived men of their rights, he must first
make amends for that. If there is no monetary rights of others involved in his act but
he has encouraged some other person(s) to emulate him in committing the sin, then
he should make efforts to set the person(s) right. Then he should express his
penitence. If, while committing the sin he has become liable for Qasaas (punishment
for causing physical injury), all the jurists agree that he must first inform those who
have a right for the qasaas. He must tell them that he is liable to be executed or pay
the Qasaas. The persons who have the right for the Qasaas have the option to pardon
or to charge the man. Then the sinner should express his penitence and take an oath
to refrain from such act in the future. The sins for which the Sharia has prescribed
punishment, for example, the sin of abusing someone, the subject of such abuse has
the right either to punish the person or pardon him. If the subject doesn’t know about
the abuses heaped on him, some jurists opine that the perpetrator of the abuses
should not inform the person and quietly express his penitence over the act. The
jurists say that the prescriptions for the punishments are there irrespective of
whether penitence expressed by the sinner or not. If these conditions are not
fulfilled, there will be Retribution in the Hereafter. Some traditions indicate that
fulfillment of these Juridical conditions are the precursors of the pardon for the
sinner in the Hereafter. Complete penitence is total abstinence from the sin for the
rest of the life of the person.
Hazrat Ali (a.s.) says, “ A person said ‘astaghfar Allah’ in the presence of the
Prophet (a.s.). The Prophet (a.s.) said, ‘What do you know about asking forgiveness
(astaghfar)? The Astaghfar has six parts to its meaning:
First: penitence over the past sins,
Second: firm commitment to Allah for not sinning again,
Third: Paying the rights of people from one’s own assets,
Fourth: Fulfilling the mandatory duties that were not performed in the past,
Fifth: Shedding the weight that was gained during the period one was sinning,
Sixth: Busying oneself in prayers with the same intensity with which the person
indulged in the acts of sin.
One should say ‘Astghfar Allah’ if he abides by these conditions.”
THE WAYS OF ASKING FOR SUSTENANCE
The Prophet (a.s.) has said, “ O Abu Dharr! One who is sluggish in seeking
sustenance, the other person will not be able to grab his share. To the contrary one