The Essence of Islam – Volume II — Page 243
Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness 243. This means that: we worship Thee alone and implore. Thee alone for help. Thy attributes of Providence and. All-Sustaining should help us and should safeguard us against stumbling, lest our weakness may become manifest and we should fall short of worshipping Thee. . It is thus obvious that the true meaning of Istighfar is not that a default has occurred, but that no default should occur. Human nature finding itself weak naturally seeks strength from God, as a child seeks milk from its mother. . As God has bestowed upon man from the beginning, tongue, eyes, heart, and ears, etc. , so He has bestowed upon him from the beginning the desire for Istighfar and has made him feel that he is dependent upon God for help. This is indicated in the verse: وَاسْتَغْفِرُ لِذَنْبِكَ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنتِ 83. This means that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of. Allāh be on him) was directed to supplicate that his nature should be safeguarded against human weakness and should be so strengthened that that weakness should not become manifest. He was also directed to supplicate by way of intercession on behalf of the men and women who believed in him that they should be safeguarded against the punishment for the defaults that might have been committed by them and that during the rest of their lives they should be safeguarded against sin. . This verse comprises a very high philosophy of protection against sin and intercession. It indicates that a person can achieve a high stage of protection against sin and win 82 Al-Fatihah, 1:5 [Publisher] 83 'Ask forgiveness for thy frailties, and for believing men and believing women. '-Muḥammad, 47:20 [Publisher]