History of Islam: Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (H/B)

One might say, “I want to repent, but who can guarantee that Allah will forgive me if I do so? I want to follow the Straight Path, but I feel very hesitant. If I know for sure that Allah would forgive me, I would definitely repent.” Shaykh Muhammad Sâlih al-Munajjid, may Allah reward him, gives a clear-cut response to such doubts and questions in this booklet. In order that the response reassures everybody concerned, it is based on the Noble Qur’an and the honourable Sunnah, quoting many verses and hadiths confirming that Allah’s mercy and forgiveness embrace all creation and are greater than any and all sins. The Shaykh then goes on to explain the preconditions and necessary steps for achieving true repentance, at which Allah is just waiting to forgive any of His penitent servants.

Shaykh Muhammad Salih al-Munajjid’s little book is perhaps one of the most widely-circulated among Muslims today. This is because the topic touches worshippers where it hurts—we know that we often lapse into an automatic sort of prayer when we lose concentration. The Shaykh points out that this loss of concentration really stems from a lack of humility and devotion—in Arabic, khushoo‘. His aim in writing this book is to help us to get back that khushoo‘. His step-by-step approach makes it simple. He gives practical advice and uses the excellent example of the prayer of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) to guide us, so that as worshippers, we can truly return to a state of humility and devotion before the Lord.