“Confessions of Sins” – Lessons from a Letter of Hadrat Maulana Abdullah Sahib Kapaudri رحمه الله
Hadrat Maulānā ‛Abdullāh Sāhib Kāpaudrī
A famous Arabic saying states:
الإنسان مركب من الخطأ والنسيان
“Every human commits a mistake and an oversight.”
But when he adopts humility and submission,and admits and acknowledges his sin and error,he becomes the beloved of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى.
The Qur’ān relates numerous stories of the Prophets عليه السلام in various places. We learn from these stories that the moment the Prophets عليه السلام committed a minor mistake and did something which was not the best option (khilāf-e-aulā), they immediately humbled themselves in Allāh’s court, acknowledged their error, and sought His forgiveness. Incidents from the lives of great
Prophets like Hadrat Ādam عليه السلام, Hadrat Yūnus عليه السلام, Hadrat Mūsā عليه السلام and others make reference to this. It was this very submission of theirs which enabled them to achieve lofty ranks.
When man commits a sin and does not admit it, and does not express any sorrow over his mistakes and errors, then he includes himself in the band of Satan. The Leader of all past and future generations, our Master Muhammad Rasulullah صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَمtaught the ummah through his du‛ās (supplications) how he used to express his humility and submission before Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى by
admitting his errors and mistakes on every occasion. He taught the ummah to obtain Allāh’s pleasure by expressing its submission and servitude to Him.
Our present tribulation-filled era is overpowered by materialism. Our elders have compiled
valuable books directing our attention to this important Sunnah. Hadrat Maulānā Shāh
Wasīyullāh Sāhib Ilāhābādī compiled an excellent book on this subject, titled, I‛tirāf-e-Dhunūb. This
book ought to be studied repeatedly. Hadrat Maulānā Qamar az-Zamān Sāhib dāmat barakātuhum compiled an addendum to it, titled, I‛tirāf-e-Qusūr, in which he relates inspiring
stories and incidents of acknowledgement of mistakes from the lives of the Prophets عليه السلام, the
Sahabah رضي الله عنه, senior ‛ulamā’ and righteous elders.
Both books ought to be formally read in the assemblies of Muslims. One lesson after another ought to be read after the ‛asr salāh to the students so that they develop humility and servitude, and attain proximity to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى in this way.
The following lines of Hadrat Maulānā Muhammad Ahmad Partāb Garhī rahimahullāh are most excellent, and cause the hearts to tremble:
“At times I experience the joy of having obeyed Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. At times I have to acknowledge my sins. I
am constantly mindful of the thing which the angel is not aware of. This is the beginning and
end of those who truly love Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. O Ahmad [referring to himself] who possesses nothing.
I acknowledge my sins.”
May Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى honour the services of Hadrat Maulānā Qamar az-Zamān Sāhib dāmat barakātuhum with acceptance. His presence is a great bounty during this era in which there is a dearth of senior personalities. May Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى give him long life with good health and well-being.
Āmīn.
Was salām
‛Abdullāh Kāpaudrī, may Allāh pardon him.
13 Jumādā al-Ūlā 1429 A.H./19 May 2008.
Source: “Confessions of Sins”
