Bismillah ar-Rahmaan ar-Raheem

Hittatun (حِطَّةٌ)

This word came to mind as I was praying to Allah Subhaana wa Ta'ala for forgiveness and pardon. I was returning to Allah from a place of weakness with a humble heart. Allah has changed my state of weakness, place of insecurity to a place of safety, security, compassion, grace ... and best of all, His guidance through His book and His beloved messenger, Rasul Allah sallalahu 'alaihi wasallam. These days we are reminded to avail ourselves on Laylatul Qadr, seeking forgiveness from Allah Subhaana wa Ta'ala. Again, “Hittatun” provoked my curiosity. I had to Google which ayah of the Quran it was in. It is in Surah al-Baqarah and Surah al-'Araaf. But if

“Hittatun” refers to forgiveness, repentance, "absolution" or "absolve us" as translated in the ayah below.

Allah taught the Children of Israel to seek forgiveness and enter the town humbly as decreed by Allah Azza wa Jal, also mentioned in tafasir. Ulama highlights the contrast between sincere repentance and disobedience. The term “Hittatun” is further explained as "relieve us," or "repentance" to emphasize the intended humility. Why humility? I will discuss it later, but first, let's revisit the ayah.

We learn this in Surah al-Baqarah:

وَإِذْ قُلْنَا ٱدْخُلُوا۟ هَـٰذِهِ ٱلْقَرْيَةَ فَكُلُوا۟ مِنْهَا حَيْثُ شِئْتُمْ رَغَدًۭا وَٱدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْبَابَ سُجَّدًۭا وَقُولُوا۟ حِطَّةٌۭ نَّغْفِرْ لَكُمْ خَطَـٰيَـٰكُمْ ۚ وَسَنَزِيدُ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ ٥٨

“And ˹remember˺ when We said, “Enter this city and eat freely from wherever you please; enter the gate with humility, saying, ‘Absolve us.’ We will forgive your sins and multiply the reward for the good-doers.” (2:58)

Similarly, the same event is stated in Surah al-’Araaf.

Allah states,

وَإِذْ قِيلَ لَهُمُ ٱسْكُنُوا۟ هَـٰذِهِ ٱلْقَرْيَةَ وَكُلُوا۟ مِنْهَا حَيْثُ شِئْتُمْ وَقُولُوا۟ حِطَّةٌۭ وَٱدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْبَابَ سُجَّدًۭا نَّغْفِرْ لَكُمْ خَطِيٓـَٔـٰتِكُمْ ۚ سَنَزِيدُ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ ١٦١

“And ˹remember˺ when it was said to them, “Enter this city ˹of Jerusalem˺ and eat from wherever you please. Say, ‘Absolve us,’ and enter the gate with humility. We will forgive your sins, ˹and˺ We will multiply the reward for the good-doers.” (7:161)

Subhaan Allah! It was an honor for the wretched, weak and humiliated nation to enter their homeland as free people. Peace was bestowed on them and the Treasury of the lands. It was a God-given victory without bloodshed or heartbreak. The only criterion of Allah was to enter the same city again, seeking forgiveness in awe of Allah. They could have felt their hearts melting with joy and humbleness. Humbleness comes with sincerity and devotion towards Allah Azza wa Jal. It was applicable and apt to realize what Bani Israel's condition was and what they had been gifted.

The beauty is when Allah teaches us, reminds us, and commands us to seek His forgiveness. If we have learnt anything, seeking Allah’s forgiveness should be our source of strength and alleviation. Should we not acknowledge The One Who favored us, elevated us and inspired us towards goodness otherwise, we would not have changed our foolish ways and our wretched state of being.

When Allah Subhaana wa Ta'ala revealed Surah an-Nasr, the same commandment was given to Rasul Allah sallalahu 'alaihi wasallam and his companions when they were entering Makkah. The word, "Istighfar" is applied here. Hittatun and Istighfar have very similar meanings, seek forgiveness and repentance. Would not the word absolve be closer to pardon? Nevertheless, I have been contemplating over these ayaat and their similarities with their astounding outcomes.

فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَٱسْتَغْفِرْهُ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ تَوَّابًۢا ٣

“ then glorify the praises of your Lord and seek His forgiveness, for certainly He is ever Accepting of Repentance.” (110:3)

Seek forgiveness of Allah and humble your hearts with the Glory of Allah. It is an honor for whoever is taught the words of forgiveness. He is at-Tawwab. It is the last name of Allah revealed in the Quran, and how magnificent is He that He, al-Fattah, leaves His door of forgiveness open for us. This is His profound love and compassion towards us. His Karam is nobility. He is al-’Afw, al-Kareem, al-’Azeez.

To recap the sentiment, the beginning of Surah an-Nasr sketches a monumental event for us. Allah says,

إِذَا جَآءَ نَصْرُ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلْفَتْحُ ١

“When Allah’s ˹ultimate˺ help comes and the victory (over Mecca is achieved)”, (110:1)

وَرَأَيْتَ ٱلنَّاسَ يَدْخُلُونَ فِى دِينِ ٱللَّهِ أَفْوَاجًۭا ٢

“and you ˹O Prophet˺ see the people embracing Allah’s Way in crowds,” (110:2)

The similarity is undeniable. It's the same commandment, taught to two distinct Messengers of Allah. They return to their cities seeking forgiveness with humble hearts. But Musa's nation was neither sincere nor grateful. On the other end, Rasul Allah sallalahu 'alaihi wasallam’s nation entered Makkah with pure forgiveness, adhering to the truth of Allah. They amplified obedience to Allah Azza wa Jal by seeking sincere forgiveness and repenting with a humbling heart. They were home again, safe and sound. Think about it, returning to our home gives us delight and relief every day. Surely, Rasul Allah sallalahu 'alaihi wasallam and the Sahabah felt much reverence upon their return. I can imagine the thoughts going through their mind when their eyes filled with the tears of joy. Many of us are struck by similar sentiments when thinking about visiting our Muslim countries or hearing news about them.

Family of Imran (3:26)

قُلِ ٱللَّهُمَّ مَـٰلِكَ ٱلْمُلْكِ تُؤْتِى ٱلْمُلْكَ مَن تَشَآءُ وَتَنزِعُ ٱلْمُلْكَ مِمَّن تَشَآءُ وَتُعِزُّ مَن تَشَآءُ وَتُذِلُّ مَن تَشَآءُ ۖ بِيَدِكَ ٱلْخَيْرُ ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدِيرٌۭ ٢٦

“Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “O Allah! Lord over all authorities! You give authority to whoever You please and remove it from who You please; You honour whoever You please and disgrace who You please—all good is in Your Hands. Surely You ˹alone˺ are Most Capable of everything.”

Allah! Allah! Allah!

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