Friday sermon: repent for sins and help others to reform

Do not hold people's mistakes over their heads once they have asked for forgiveness, worshippers will hear

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God loves those who constantly repent for their bad deeds, the sermon will tell worshippers on Friday.

To repent is to be closer to God, who responds with forgiveness and mercy.

“Your Lord has decreed upon Himself mercy: that any of you who does wrong out of ignorance and then repents after that and corrects themselves – indeed, He is forgiving and merciful.” (Quran, 6:54)

It is said that God is more merciful to those who repent than their own parents. This is evidenced by a story told by Omar bin Al Khattab, one of Prophet Mohammed's senior companions, who said that, after seeing a mother hugging her baby boy, the Prophet asked his companions: "Do you think this woman could throw her son into the fire?" The men responded, saying no.

“Allah is more compassionate to His worshipper than this woman is to her son,” the Prophet Mohammed said.

The sermon will say that if Allah is merciful and accepting of those who repent, then so too must people be quick to forgive others.

Those who ask for forgiveness are often in need of support. This will help them in their process of reformation. People should not be reminded of their sins after they have repented for the same. 

Prophet Yousef pardoned his brothers, who threw him into a well when he was a child out of jealousy, saying: "No blame will there be upon you today. Allah will forgive you; He is the most merciful of the merciful." (Quran 12:92)

Prophet Yousef wanted to show his bothers that God had already erased their sins. He also urged them to adopt a path of uprightness and reform.

Muslims should pray for the reform of others and support them in their effort to live a righteous life.

Omar bin Al Khattab said: “If you see your brother slip and make a mistake, then support and reconcile him, and ask Allah that He turn to him and accept his repentance – do not become a support to the Devil [in further pushing him away from Allah’s mercy].”