Islamic Psychology and Forgiveness

QUESTION: Islamic Psychology – Forgiveness

ANSWER:

The Qur’an often speaks of the forgiveness of sins, instructing Muslims to counterbalance their good deeds with their bad deeds. However, any assurance of salvation is lacking.

To those who believe and do deeds of righteousness hath Allah promised forgiveness and a great reward (5:10).

And establish regular prayers at the two ends of the day and at the approaches of the night; for those things that are good remove those that are evil; be that the word of remembrance to those who remember (their Lord) (11:114).¹

Islamic Psychology – Jihad
The Qur’an identifies in the following passage one deed that will assure Muslims of eternal bliss and salvation—death in jihad.

Those who have left their homes, or been driven out therefrom, or suffered harm in My Cause, or fought or been slain, verily, I will blot out from them their iniquities, and admit them into Gardens with rivers flowing beneath; a reward from the Presence of God, and from His Presence is the best of rewards (3:195).

Notes:

Rendered with permission from the book,Understanding the Times: The Collision of Today’s Competing Worldviews(Rev. 2^nd ed), David Noebel, Summit Press, 2006. Compliments of John Stonestreet, David Noebel, and the Christian Worldview Ministry at Summit Ministries. All rights reserved in the original.

¹ This teaching is also found in the Hadith: Bukhari 1:209; Muslim book 37; no. 6655ff.