The Repentance of the Sinful Man

📖Sahih al-Bukhari 3481
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet ﷺ said: “A man used to do sinful deeds, and when death came to him, he said to his sons, ‘After my death, burn me and then crush me, and scatter the powder in the air, for by Allah, if Allah has control over me, He will give me such a punishment as He has never given to anyone else.’ When he died, his sons did accordingly. Allah ordered the earth saying, ‘Collect what you hold of his particles.’ It did so, and behold! There he was (the man) standing. Allah asked (him), ‘What made you do what you did?’ He replied, ‘O my Lord! I was afraid of You.’ So Allah forgave him.” Another narrator said: “The man said, Fear of You, O Lord!”

Description:

This hadith shows how powerful genuine fear of Allah can be – not the fear that comes casually, but the one that strikes a heart after knowingly committing sins, especially when a person begins to reflect on death and the consequences of their actions.

The man knew he had done wrong. But at the moment of facing death, his heart awakened, and his fear of Allah’s justice made him feel completely helpless. He didn’t think of forgiveness or mercy – he just feared punishment. And that sincere fear was so deep and real that Allah forgave him completely.

This proves that:

• Fear of Allah doesn’t mean you live perfect – it often starts when you recognize your wrongs.
• Belief, repentance, and sincerity can outweigh even a lifetime of sin, if Allah wills.
• It was just one man, yet Allah forgave him – meaning anyone can be forgiven, regardless of how bad their past is.

But that judgment belongs to Allah alone. We may see someone’s actions as completely wrong – and yes, for us, wrong is wrong, and good is good. But Allah knows what’s inside. Within someone who appears sinful, there might be a spark of sincerity that we can’t see – and He can judge what we cannot.

Does the Hadith Contradict the Quran?

No, the hadith does not contradict the Quran. In fact, it aligns perfectly with the teachings of the Quran regarding repentance, forgiveness, and Allah’s absolute power over life and death.

📖Quran 2:259
Or [the example of] the one who passed by a township which had fallen into ruin. He said, “How will Allah bring this to life after its death?” So Allah caused him to die for a hundred years; then He revived him. He said, “How long have you remained [dead]?” He said, “I have remained a day or part of a day.” He said, “Rather, you have remained [dead] for a hundred years. Look at your food and your drink; it has not changed. And look at your donkey. And We will make you a sign for the people.”

This verse demonstrates Allah’s ability to revive the dead, reinforcing that He is in full control of life and death, just as He revived the man in the hadith when he repented and sought His forgiveness.

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Quranic Context:

📖Quran 39:53
Say, “O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.”

📖Quran 4:110
And whoever does evil or wrongs themselves but then seeks forgiveness of Allah will find Allah Forgiving and Merciful.

📖Quran 3:135
And those who, when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves [by transgression], remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins—and who can forgive sins except Allah?

Quran 3:135 is not giving a free pass to sin knowingly. It refers to those who fall into sin by mistake or weakness, then immediately remember Allah and sincerely repent. It’s not about planning to sin and then casually asking forgiveness — it’s about sincere regret when someone slips.

This hadith isn’t just a story – it’s a reminder that no one is beyond Allah’s mercy, and that fear mixed with belief can lead to complete forgiveness, even after a lifetime of sin. But only Allah knows whose fear is sincere – our job is not to judge, but to strive to do right.