Ramadan Challenge: Chapter #13 – Admitting

Written by: Barah

“They said, “By God, certainly has God preferred you over us, and indeed, we have been sinners. He said, “No blame will there be upon you today. God will forgive you; and He is the most merciful of the merciful.” [12:91-92][Sahih International]

In the story of prophet Joseph, his brothers did the unthinkable to him. Yet he was able to forgive them. Why? Because they admitted their mistake. They were able to say, “We have been sinners.” This must have been an incentive for Joseph to forgive them from his end; he recognized that God is forgiving and merciful.

This whole scenario is very relevant. When someone admits to their mistake and puts his/her ego aside and says, “I made a mistake,” don’t you find it easier to forgive them then if they had persisted with or reveled in the wrong they have done? We tend to forgive faster when we know someone understands what they did, especially when they don’t go back to doing it again.

This all reminds me of the concept of tawba–repentance. When you repent, you not only tell God that you know what you did was wrong and ask for forgiveness, but you also vow to Him that you will never do it again.

So, when I see all this, It helps me to remember that it’s okay to make mistakes, but it’s important to admit to them and to learn from them so I don’t do them again.