The more sins a person commits, the more problems and hardships enter their life. Those who protect themselves from sins the people close to Allah are granted peace and tranquility by Allah. Remember this well: when a person abandons sins, they experience a peace similar to the comfort a child feels in the lap of their mother.
Therefore, leave sins behind. And what is a sin? It is to disobey Allah knowingly and deliberately. This is what Allah dislikes the most when a person understands that something is wrong yet still chooses to do it. If a sin happens unintentionally, Allah forgives it quickly. If it happens out of ignorance, it is also forgiven. But a sin committed knowingly invites the displeasure of Allah.
Allah is Haleem (Most Forbearing). He does not punish immediately. Allah is not like lightning that strikes at the first mistake. He is Merciful, Patient, and Generous. He gives His servants repeated chances so that they may correct themselves.
When a person does not improve despite these chances, Allah sends difficulties to awaken them. Hardships make a person reflect and return to Allah. It is rightly said: Happiness puts people to sleep, but sorrow wakes them up.
That is why Allah sends illness, loss, and problems. The righteous understand these trials as a call from Allah. They increase their prayers, remembrance, repentance, and worship. They realize that Allah wants to bring them closer to Himself.
Pure is that Lord who pulls His servants toward Himself through the chains of trials. Sadly, many people respond to hardships by committing even more sins. When business fails due to disobedience, they turn to unlawful means such as interest-based loans, which only increase their misery.
The rule is clear: disobedience to Allah brings disgrace, failure, anxiety, and hardship. Leaving sins brings honor, peace, and success — in this world and the Hereafter.
Allah commands us to abandon sins openly and secretly. If sins are not abandoned, hardships will not leave. The choice lies with us.
Remember this firmly: when a person knowingly leaves sins, Allah does not reject their supplications. Such a person becomes one whose prayers are accepted.
The greatest act of worship is leaving sins. Then see how Allah blesses you. The Prophet ﷺ said that whoever lowers their gaze from the unlawful, Allah grants sweetness in worship and light in the heart.
Many people complain that they do not feel enjoyment in worship. Remember, we are servants, not seekers of pleasure. Worship is an obligation, whether we feel sweetness or not. If Allah grants enjoyment, it is His mercy — not our right.
If we leave sins, Allah removes difficulties from our lives.
A question arises: do righteous people not face hardships? Yes, they do. But there is a difference. For sinners, hardships are a warning or punishment. For the righteous, hardships raise their ranks and bring them closer to Allah.
The hearts of the people of Allah remain calm even in storms. While chaos may surround them, their hearts are at peace.
If a person continues sinning despite warnings, Allah’s anger follows, and such a person becomes a lesson for others. Continuous sin surrounds a person until it destroys them.
Lies, hypocrisy, and false relationships trap a person. One may hide from people, but no one can hide from Allah.
This is why the first step toward spiritual progress is sincere repentance. Without abandoning sins, remembrance and worship have no effect — just like taking medicine while drinking ice-cold water.
Satan misleads people in two ways:
- Through desires and temptations
- Through doubts and confusion
The cure for both is sincere repentance and turning back to Allah.
Even if a person sins repeatedly but sincerely repents each time, Allah forgives them. Falling is not failure; remaining fallen is.
Allah is more merciful than a mother. A mother forgives upon seeing tears; Allah forgives even without tears — sincere regret in the heart is enough.
When a servant turns to Allah and says, “O Allah, I have no one but You,” Allah opens the doors of forgiveness wide.
Allah loves to forgive. He becomes pleased when He forgives His servant.
So repent sincerely. Ask forgiveness in solitude. Decide today to leave sins and live a life of obedience. Then watch how Allah’s mercy transforms your heart and your life.
May Allah grant us sincere repentance and closeness to Him.
All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds.
