the glad tidings of making us His beloved, and when one submits himself in His court, sheds tears over his mistakes and repents, then He forgives all of his sins. Let us listen to an account for our encouragement:

The example of a repenting believer

Sayyiduna Shahr Bin Haushab رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه states: Once, Sayyiduna ‘Isa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام was sat with his companions, when a bird, whose wings were adorned with pearls and rubies and which was more beautiful than any other bird, came before them and began to toss and tumble. This caused its skin to come off and it appeared to be extremely unsightly and bald. Then it came near a gutter and started tossing and tumbling in its filth, due to which it became black and even more unattractive. After that, it came to a stream of flowing water and bathed itself, and its beauty and charm returned, and it became beautiful like before.

Seeing this, Sayyiduna ‘Isa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام said, ‘This bird has been sent as a sign for you that the example of a believer is like this bird; when he engages in sins, his beauty and splendour departs, and then when he repents, with its blessings, the filth of his sins is removed and his beauty and splendour returns.’ (Hilya-tul-Awliya, Shahr Bin Haushab, vol. 6, p. 60, Raqm 7784)

Dear Islamic brothers! You have just heard that just like a bird covered in filth can become clean after bathing, and its beauty returns, in a similar way, the filth of sins is cleansed after the believers repent; their sins are washed away by repentance, and the light of Iman returns, because Allah Almighty, in His pure speech, has promised to wipe out shortcomings, forgive sins, and bestow a great favour in the form of Paradise:

Hence, it is stated in Part 28, Surah At-Tahreem, verse 8: