The sinner in Jannah

Have you ever pictured a sinner entering into jannah? This is very much possible if that sinner repents and turns to Allah. Do you want to know how it happens? Let’s delve deeper. When a person commits a sin, they are called a sinner. But when they begin feeling guilty about it and turn to Allah to ask for forgiveness or in some cases commit a good deed after a sin to cancel out that sin, they no longer remain a sinner that could end up in hell but a sinner who wants to earn jannah. We can put light on that lady who was the worst of the sinners, she used to indulge in adultery yet Allah forgave her just because of her small act of kindness; when she filled her shoe with water and gave it to the parched dog.

Now, if we look at this ayah: “Those who believe and do good deeds, We shall cleanse them of their evil deeds and reward them according to the best of their deeds.” (Surah Ankabut:07) When I first read this ayah, a question popped up in my mind; if those really are “believers” then why do they have sins on them that need to be washed away? I mean, see Allah says He is going to ‘wipe’ their ‘sins’ away. I wondered why do they have sins on their book of deeds in the first place if they are so pious. But then I realised that even the most pious people sin and what actually makes them a believer is their faith in Allah.

Then it clicked. Obviously, those who have faith in Allah, they would be overtaken with extreme guilt after sinning and they would obviously repent right after, sincerely. So, what lessons does this ayah give? 1. Even pious people sin but repenting afterwards makes them pious. 2. We must have faith in Allah. Strong faith helps you repent. 3. Repent sincerely. Repenting after sinning is like taking a shower after rolling over in dirt. You’ll be clean.

A few of hadiths clarify the point how Allah loves the sinners who repent too and they are mentioned below: 1. “If mankind were not to commit sins, Allah would create other creatures who would commit sins, then He would forgive them, for He is Oft- Forgiving, Most-Merciful.” [Al-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, Musnad Ahmed] 2. “Allah is more delighted with the repentance of His slave when he repents, than any of you would be if (he found his) camel, which he had been riding in a barren desert, after it had escaped from him carrying his food and drink. After he despaired of it, he came to a tree and laid down in its shade. Then while he was despairing of it, the camel came and stood by his side, and he seized its reins and cried out in joy, ‘O God, You are my servant and I am your Lord!’ – making this mistake (in wording) out of his excessive joy.” [Saheeh Muslim]

The point stands firm, if you are a sinner, there is a hope for you since all those sinners will enter jannah who repent sincerely.