Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

As salaam alykum,I perform haj 2007-08 with my mother and wife, during this period in my residence (india)my uncle who is mentally retardted and was ill, is expired while I was on haj.since six months before leaving to haj he was ill and bedridden, due to haj formalities and other things I cannot concentrate on his health, which is my responsiblity now i feel that I have done greatest sin by not taking care in his last days of life, plz tell me waht to do so that Allah will forgive my sins. 

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Answer:

Uncle died because of negligence

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 1.1 Narrated by Umar bin Al Khattab

I heard Allah's Messenger (saws) saying, "The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended.”

Respected brother in Islam, the intention that you wanted to serve your uncle during his last days and the very feeling of severe guilt and remorse you are currently experiencing for being unable to attend to your dying uncle is in itself evidence of your sincere love for your uncle and more than suffices for your repentance…..it is expected that you will find your Lord Forgiving and Merciful.

Your Question: ….plz tell me waht to do so that Allah will forgive my sins. 

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 39 Surah Zumur verses 53-54:

(O Prophet) say: “O My servants who have wronged their own souls….Do not despair of Allah’s Mercy! Surely, Allah forgives all sins. He indeed is the All Forgiving, All Merciful. Return to your Lord and submit to Him before the scourge overtakes you; for then you may get no help from anywhere.”

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 6 Surah Anaam verse 54:

When those come to you who believe in Our Signs, say: "Peace be on you! Your Lord had inscribed for Himself (the rule of) Mercy. Verily if any of you did evil in ignorance, and thereafter repented and amended (his conduct), Lo! He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 2357 Narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas'ud

Allah's Messenger (saws) said, "He who repents of a sin is like him who has committed no sin."

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 2338 Narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar

Allah's Messenger (saws) said, "Allah accepts a servant's repentance (taubah) till he gives up his spirit in death."

Respected brother in Islam, whatever is done obviously cannot be undone…but what you can and should do is constantly supplicate for your deceased uncle unto your Lord and beseech your Lord Most Gracious to bestow His Mercy upon him, forgive him his sins and his shortcomings, and grant him an honorable status and rank in the Hereafter….and if your deceased uncle has left behind his family or orphan children, you should strive your absolute utmost to do good to them; that would be piety and righteousness on your part in the Sight of your Lord.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan