The Repentance

All human beings are weak. They make mistakes and fall short in their moral and spiritual strengths. They slip, deviate and sin. This is purely human. All of us have heard the famous quote that says, "to err is human, to forgive divine". 
The only thing that makes any human superior over the other is the realization that he or she has sinned or made a mistake. Accepting one's mistake and taking the responsibility of one's sin is what makes him or her different. This does not mean that he or she needs to broadcast the sin or plunge into the guilt forever. It simply means that once the person realizes his sin he must look to rectify it and make amends. 

God has created the human beings and He is Ever Watchful over them. Whenever we fall into error it is God alone Who can save us from that lingering sense of guilt and shame and hold us and give us comfort through our repentance by pouring on us His Mercy and forgiveness
. 
God loves those who repent. 

Many people sin and they sin in different ways. Usually we regard others' sin as grievous and punishable and forget our own follies and blunders. Instead of eyeing the sins and wrongdoings of others we must take a look inside our own selves. 

It is a highly courageous act to be truthful to one's own self. Truth is the only tool that can give us spiritual and moral comfort. Admitting our mistakes first in front of our own self and then turning sincerly toward God and asking Him to forgive the mistake, does wonders to the health of the soul.

Just like our bodies our souls are also in need of healthy food and detoxification. Removing the poison of sin and guilt from our soul can only be possible by adopting Truth and repenting in front of God.

The Quran has one whole chapter with this subject and it is named "The Repentance." Although this chapter has a complete historical background attached to its revelation but it has a general implication for everyone who accept the fact that they are erring and weak and need to turn to God time and again for regular wash-ups and showers to rid themselves of their mistakes and sins.

The very important highlight of this chapter of the Noble Quran is that it emphasises on speaking the Truth. Truthfulness was the virtue that led to the acceptance of repentance of some people at the time of the Prophet peace be upon him. Allah revealed the signs on him to give them the glad tidings that their Tawba or repentance had been accepted because they spoke the Truth. 

To read through the whole chapter kindly visit the link below:

http://www.quran.com/9

O you who have believed, fear Allah and be with those who are true. 

Surah Tawba 119

The commentary on this surah or Chapter reads:

The good pleasure of Allah is with those who are sincere and make sacrifices in His cause: He will forgive those who do wrong and repent, but not those who intend mischief and foment unbelief and disunion among believers. The believers by their self surrender obtain eternal felicity. Allah will turn in mercy even to those who, though they waver or fail in duty, turn at last to HIm. 

Those who believe should associate with the righteous and the truthful, actively doing their duty. But if the Community marches out, a part of them should remain behind for the purpose of diligently studying religion and teaching their brethren when they return. Every Surah increases the faith of those who believe, though those diseased in heart may add doubt to doubt. Trust in Allah, Lord of the Throne of Glory.        

Ref., The Noble Quran 

One important fact that directs a person to admitting the mistake and asking for forgiveness is the ability to differentiate between good and evil. Once the person has a clear idea of what is right and what is wrong he is in the position to analyse his own self in that light. The knowledge of right and wrong also comes from God. Every person is born with the innate sense of morality and conscience about good and evil. No person is born misguided or a sinner. A healthy heart and soul are enough signalling sources to let that person know that he has done something wrong. 

Goodness brings happiness and tranquility to the heart and a sin or evil done makes the heart heavy. It wavers in the heart and never lets the person sit in peace. 

The Prophet ﷺ said, "Piety is good manner, and sin is that which creates doubt and you do not like people to know of it." 

A hadeeth by Muslim. 

Why one god?

Though I took up Humanities as the stream of my higher education but Science and Religion have always fascinated me.

Humanities are academic disciplines that study human culture. (According to Wikipedia)

Humans in turn are one species and a similar creation in terms of their habitat on this earth. I have always wondered why this simple fact is not understood by many who are content on worshipping many gods that it is impossible for many gods to co-exist and create similar creations like humans, animals, plants and celestial bodies. If there were many gods then there wouldn't be such harmony in all that exists on the face of this earth or outside it. This is quite simple to understand. Many gods will surely have their hold and command on "their particular creation" and they would like to control it as they willed. They would not settle on co-existing and compromising with the other gods and their creations that are present in close co-ordination with their creation and if they do so then they are not having their complete "Will" over what they created. Also, if that were so then they are not supposed to be called "All Powerful."

The Quran discusses this aspect as translated from Arabic from Surah Al Muminoon sign 91:

Allah has not taken any son, nor has there ever been with Him any deity. [If there had been], then each deity would have taken what it created, and some of them would have sought to overcome others. Exalted is Allah above what they describe [concerning Him].

With regard to worshipping "one god" there are numerous signs or ayahs in the Noble Quran.

It is rightly said that those who ponder and comprehend on the signs in them and around them don't have much difficulty in accepting the fact that there can not be more than one Creator.

Allah witnesses that there is no deity except Him, and [so do] the angels and those of knowledge - [that He is] maintaining [creation] in justice. There is no deity except Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise. (Surah Aal i Imran 18)

As I stated earlier that I have always been fascinated by Science and Religions and this encourages me to read and research other faiths and discoveries in the field of science. I like to know about the experiences and thoughts of the scientists and the sayings in the scriptures of various faiths.

This is not the end. I find it something very interesting that what I find out and understand I must share it with others so that they also get to verify it themselves and ponder over the meaning of life outside the material niche’ that we all are used to live in.

Consider what the following scriptures state about worshipping One True God.

The most popular amongst all the Hindu scriptures is the Bhagavad Gita.

"Those whose intelligence has been stolen by material desires surrender unto demigods and follow the particular rules and regulations of worship according to their own natures."

[Bhagavad Gita 7:20]

The following verses from the Upanishads refer to the Concept of God:

"Ekam evadvitiyam"

"He is One only without a second."

[Chandogya Upanishad 6:2:1]1

Brahma Sutra of Hinduism:

"Ekam Brahm, dvitiya naste neh na naste kinchan"

"There is only one God, not the second; not at all, not at all, not in the least bit."

Thus, only a dispassionate study of the Hindu scriptures can help one understand the concept of God in Hinduism.

There are many such examples in the Hindu Scriptures.

Not only these, the Christian, Jewish and Sikh scriptures also taught the oneness of the Creator and He being free of any image or form.

It is interesting to note that the mool mantra in Sikhism is as follows:

One Universal Creator God. The Name Is Truth. Creative Being Personified. No Fear. No Hatred. Image Of the Undying, Beyond Birth, Self-Existent. By Guru's Grace ~

These and many such examples help you to understand that since time immemorial God has been acknowledged as one and unmatched. Various philosophies have emerged. Scientists have given in at the point where they find a limit to scientific research and involvement. Where all comprehensions end only One remains: That is one True God.

This is what is declared by Muslims when they proclaim Islam as their religion. They bear witness that there is no god but Allah, The God.