Repentance Draws Allah (SWT)’s Mercy

During the time of Musa (Alayhis Salam) (The Prophet Moses), the Bani Israil were afflicted with a severe drought. Together, they begged Allah (SWT) for rain, but to no avail. The heat came more intense and the skies remained cloudless.

Musa (Alayhis salaam) then cried out to Allah (SWT), “O Allah (SWT), if my status means nothing to You then I beseech You by the grace of Muhammad (SAW) to please grant us rain.”

Allah (SWT) sent a revelation down to him: “Your status is noble in My sight, however, there is a person amongst you, who has disobeyed Me for forty years. It is because of him, that I am withholding the rains you.”

Musa (Alayhis salaam) stood up and addressed the congregation, “O sinner, who has disobeyed Allah (SWT) for forty years, please leave this gathering.”

When the sinner heard the announcement, he thought to himself, “If I stand up in this gathering to leave, the entire Bani Israil will realised that I am the guilty one.” He lowered his head in shame and implored, “O my Allah, I beg for Your forgiveness.”

Immediately the rain came down in torrents.

Musa (Alayhi as-salaam) asked, “O Allah, why did You send us rain?”

Allah (SWT) replied, “Due to the sinner who has repented.”

Musa (Alayhis salaam) asked, “O Allah, will you please reveal his identity to me?”

Allah (SWT) answered, “When I did not reveal his identity as a sinner, how can I now expose him when he has sincerely repented?” [Nuzhatul Majalis, p314]

Sins are an impediment to the acceptance of dua (prayers and requests to Allah), but Allah (SWT) forgives and grants numerous bounties when man turns to Him in repentance. The Quran says:

Seek forgiveness from your Lord. Verily, He is Most Forgiving. He will send rain to you in abundance. And He will increase you in wealth and children and bestow on you gardens and rivers. [Surah Nuh, verse 10-12]

Allah (SWT) conceals many of the sins of man out of His Kindness.