As-Selamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh,

Bismillahir-rahmanir-rahim,

My dear brothers and sisters,

Someone messaged me concerning the losing of hope due to their many sins, the hardening of the heart, and a general feeling of depression. This person feels not loved by Allah anymore, or by anyone else. This is my reply, and may all of you benefit from it Insha’Allah.

Allah states in the Qur’an in Chapter 13, verse 28: ‘’…verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.’’

And this is a great verse for the person who feels that his heart has hardened, for turning away from Allah is surely a major reason for the hardening of the heart.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) has said: ‘’The example of the one who remembers his Lord in comparison to the one who does not remembers his Lord, is that of a living creature compared to a dead one.’’ [Sahih Al-Bukhari, 8/6407]

So remembering Allah is a source of life for the heart, and not only this, it is also a source of forgiveness for the person.

In a lengthy tradition in Sahih Al-Bukhari [8/6408], it is mentioned how the angels search for people who remember and glorify Allah. When they find people who do so, they mention this to Allah, and at the end of the narration it is mentioned how Allah forgives these people.

There are more narrations like these. For example, in Sahih Al-Bukhari [8.6405] we are informed of the fact that whenever someone says SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi, one hundred times a day, he will be forgiven all his sins even if they were as much as the foam of the sea.

So therefore, do not despair of His Mercy or Forgiveness, for Allah addresses His slaves in Chapter 39, verse 53 by saying: ‘’O Ibadi (my slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily, Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.’’

And the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘’Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His slave than anyone of you is pleased with finding his camel which he had lost in a desert.’’ [Sahih Al-Bukhari, 8/6309)

Also, repenting to Allah is a way to gain His love, for He says in Chapter 2, Verse 222: ‘’…Truly, Allah loves those who turn unto Him in repentance…’’

So all of this indicates that Allah is the Most Forgiving and Most Merciful, and that sins should not stop a person from returning to Allah, asking His Forgiveness, and hoping for the best. And this is important, to remain positive and keep good hopes, for we know from the famous hadith that Allah is towards His slaves as they think of Him.

So keep good hopes and remember that regardless of how great and numerous your sins might be, the pardon and forgiveness of Allah is much greater, as He is At-Tawwab, meaning He is the One who accepts His slaves’ repentance every time they repent.

And so, turning back to Allah, repenting for your sins, and clinging to the correct way of practising Islam is the solution for your happiness in this life and the next. And doing the opposite will only be a source of misery, as Allah says in Chapter 20, verse 124: “And whoever turns away from My remembrance–indeed, he will have a depressed [i.e., difficult] life..’’

And furthermore it is important to put your trust in Allaah, He says in Chapter 65, Verse 3: ‘’And whoever puts his trust on Allaah, sufficient is Allaah for him.”

So Allah is sufficient for you in all your worries, whether they are regarding your religion or worldly life. Allah has guaranteed that if you put your trust in Him, that He will suffice you completely. So be confident of this promise, and feel assured by it.

So, to conclude, have faith in Allah,  remember Him often by praying, reading Qur’an, performing Du’a, repenting for your sins and so forth. Be patient, hope for the best from your Lord, and maintain a positive outlook. Put your trust solely in Allah, and know that whatever it is that might be bothering you, it is never too big for Allah to fix.