Arzen’s Journey: The True Test of Repentance and Forgiveness

 

Redemption: A Path to Forgiveness & Self-Discovery

After Eid, Arzen often spent his nights in his room, reading books. His nights were now immersed in old memories. Tonight was no different. While flipping through the pages of an old book, he came across a story about a man who, due to his mistakes, faced many hardships.

Each word of the story resonated deeply with Arzen. As he continued reading, a peculiar thought began to stir in his mind. The man in the book, lamenting over his mistakes, reminded Arzen of himself. His own past errors surfaced in his memory. Could he ever attain Allah's forgiveness? The whispers of Shaytan tried to deter him, constantly attempting to make his life feel meaningless. Yet, a small voice within his heart reassured him, "Allah's doors are always open."

A battle rages within every soul—a struggle between the inner voice that reveals the truth and another that seeks to spread confusion. This internal conflict is inherent in every human being. Arzen was no exception. At times, his heart leaned toward the light; at others, darkness pulled him back.

He pondered, "If both Iblees and Adam (A.S.) were tested simultaneously, what distinguished them?" Iblees exhibited arrogance, while Adam (A.S.) repented. Humans, too, often display pride—boasting about wealth, knowledge, and achievements. But when this pride overshadows the mercy of Allah, one loses their true path.

But the pressing question is, "Do we, too, become like Iblees?" This thought unsettled Arzen. He recalled a childhood memory when he was just six years old. One night, his grandmother narrated stories about Adam (A.S.), Iblees, and Azazeel. Arzen remembered asking her, "Grandmother, if we make mistakes, do we become like Iblees?"

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With a gentle smile, she replied, "Son, every individual's test is unique. If one acknowledges their sins and seeks forgiveness from Allah, they can never be like Iblees. Iblees refused to admit his mistake and, due to his arrogance, was deprived of Allah's mercy."

Then she explained the meanings and origins of Iblees, Adam (A.S.), and Azazeel:

The Origin of Iblees

Iblees, originally known as Azazeel, was a devout and pious jinn. The name Azazeel signifies "the great servant of Allah"—one deeply engaged in worship. He was esteemed among both angels and jinn. However, when Allah commanded him to prostrate before Adam (A.S.), Iblees' arrogance led him to refuse. His true test was whether he would obey Allah's command or let his pride prevail. Consequently, he was named "Iblees," meaning "the one who despaired," highlighting his fall from divine grace. The Quran mentions Iblees, emphasizing how his arrogance and defiance led to his estrangement from Allah's mercy.

The Essence of Adam (A.S.)

The name Adam (A.S.) translates to "made from soil," reflecting the intrinsic nature of humans. Allah created Adam (A.S.) from various types of soil, symbolizing the diverse dispositions and appearances of mankind. In the Quran, Allah appoints Adam (A.S.) as His vicegerent on Earth, endowing him with knowledge and wisdom. When Adam (A.S.) erred, he did not persist in his mistake but turned to Allah in sincere repentance. His return to Allah's mercy and forgiveness marked the true purpose of his existence.

           The Human Struggle

Within every individual lies a battle—a conflict between light and darkness, ego and faith, arrogance and repentance. This is a daily struggle. Humans make mistakes and sometimes feel restless. But the crucial point is the direction one chooses: to repent like Adam (A.S.) or to persist in pride like Iblees?

Recalling his grandmother's words, Arzen reflected, "Perhaps our ultimate test is to acknowledge our sins and seek Allah's forgiveness, just as Adam (A.S.) did."

In the end, every human's true trial is this: everyone errs, but only those who admit their faults and return to Allah's mercy achieve true success.

So, in our daily lives, when faced with choices, do we choose the path of humility and repentance, or do we let arrogance lead us astray?

Life’s Exam: A Story Only You Can Write