By Allah and For Allah

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

When Allah created Adam and ordered Iblis and Angels to bow to Adam, the Angels bowed to Adam but Iblis didn't. Iblis made a mistake and he sinned. After that Allah put Adam in Paradise and said not to eat from a particular tree but Adam ate from the tree. Adam made a mistake. How did Adam and Iblis responded to their respective mistakes?

Adam said to Allah "Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers." He sought forgiveness. He looked at the fact that he chose to do what he did. But Iblis blamed Allah for his mistake and said "You (Allah) misled me. He looked at the fact that Allah created his action.

The outcome were different. Allah forgave Adam and chose him for his mission on earth. Adam was sent down to earth in honor. But Allah cursed Iblis and he was sentenced to eternity to Hell. Iblis was sent down to earth as a trial for us till the Day of Judgment.

So, what should be our manners when we make a mistake? We should look at ourselves. This is the way of the Prophets. If we do that, what comes out of it is repentance. Repentance is beloved to Allah. But if we do a good thing, we don't look at ourselves. We look at Allah who created it. What comes out of it is gratitude, humility and fear. You are grateful for your prayer, for example; you are humble before Allah because you won't be able to do it without Him, and you are afraid that He does not help you to perform the next prayer. If we look at yourself for the good deed, pride, arrogance or feeling invincible can result.

With the people who understand the meaning of la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah (there is no strength nor power except by Allah,) it does not diminish joy if an error appears from them nor does it increase if an act of obedience appears from them because they are by Allah and for Allah.

Don't be overjoyed at obedience because it has issued from you.
Rejoice in it because it has come from Allah to you.
Say: It is the favor of Allah and His mercy that should be the cause of their rejoicing.
That is better than anything they accumulate. ... ibn 'Ata'llah

May Allah rid us of pride and arrogance and make us among His best servants. Ameen.

Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam