How do Muslims, Hindus and Christians try to find forgiveness
In Christianity, forgiveness is a free gift of grace from God, made possible by the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, rather than something earned through merit or specific rituals. This article compares the different teachings.
Islam
Muslims follow several practices to seek Allah’s forgiveness (Maghfirah). Below is a table with references from the Qur’an and Hadith:
Method of Seeking Forgiveness.
Sincere Repentance (Tawbah)
Qur’an Surah 66:8 – “O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance.”
Hadith Sahih Muslim 2766 – “Allah accepts the repentance of His servant as long as he has not breathed his last.”
Asking for Forgiveness (Istighfar)
Surah 3:135 – “And those who, when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves, remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins…”
Sunan Ibn Majah 3815 – “Whoever seeks forgiveness sincerely, Allah will forgive him.”
Performing the Five Daily Prayers
Surah 11:114 – “Indeed, good deeds remove bad deeds.”
Sahih Bukhari 528 – “The five daily prayers expiate sins between them.”
Doing Good Deeds
Surah 5:9 – “Allah has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds [that] for them is forgiveness.”
Sahih Muslim 231 – “Giving charity erases sins just as water extinguishes fire.”
Fasting (Especially on Arafah & Ashura Days)
Surah 2:183 – “Fasting is prescribed for you…”
Sahih Muslim 1162 – “Fasting on the Day of Arafah expiates sins of the previous and coming year.”
Saying Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah)
Surah 33:41 – “O you who have believed, remember Allah often.”
Sahih Muslim 2691 – “Whoever says ‘Astaghfirullah’ (I seek forgiveness from Allah) will be forgiven.”
Giving Charity (Sadaqah)
Surah 2:271 – “If you disclose your charities, they are good; but if you conceal them and give to the poor, that is better for you, and He will remove from you some of your misdeeds.”
Sahih Tirmidhi 614 – “Charity extinguishes sins like water extinguishes fire.”
Hajj & Umrah (Pilgrimage)
Surah 2:196 – “And complete the Hajj and Umrah for Allah.”
Sahih Bukhari 1521 – “Whoever performs Hajj and does not commit any obscenity or wrongdoing will come out as sinless as a newborn.”
Conclusion
Repentance (Tawbah) is the main condition for forgiveness. Acts of worship (prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage) help erase sins. Sincere intention and consistency are key in seeking Allah’s mercy.
Hinduism
In Hinduism, forgiveness (Kṣamā) and atonement (Prāyaśchitta) are essential for spiritual purification. Below is a table outlining key practices with references from Hindu scriptures.
Method of Seeking Forgiveness
Sincere Repentance (Manasika Prāyaśchitta)
Manusmriti 11.227 – “One should seek forgiveness with a sincere heart and refrain from repeating sins.”
Hindus believe in acknowledging wrongdoing and resolving not to repeat it.
Prayer & Chanting (Japa & Stotra)
Bhagavad Gita 9.30-31 – “Even if the most sinful person worships Me with exclusive devotion, he must be regarded as righteous.”
Reciting mantras and prayers (e.g., Vishnu Sahasranama, Shiva Stotra) helps purify the mind.
Charity & Good Deeds (Dāna & Seva)
Bhagavad Gita 18.5 – “Acts of sacrifice, charity, and penance should not be abandoned but should be performed.”
Giving alms, feeding the poor, and selfless service are ways to balance past karma.
Fasting (Upavasa)
Manusmriti 11.212 – “By fasting, a person destroys his sins and purifies his body and mind.”
Hindus fast on Ekadashi, Purnima, and Shivaratri for atonement.
Pilgrimage (Tirtha Yatra)
Mahabharata Anushasana Parva 108.20 – “A person visiting sacred places gains purification from sins.”
Ganges River baths, Kashi, Rameshwaram, and Tirupati are popular pilgrimage sites.
Performing Rituals & Homas (Yajna & Pujas)
Rig Veda 10.14.8 – “By performing yajnas (fire sacrifices), one is freed from past wrongs.”
Special homas (fire offerings) and temple pujas are done to seek divine grace.
Confession to a Guru (Sadguru Sharanam)
Bhagavad Gita 4.34 – “Approach a spiritual master, inquire from him submissively, and render service.”
Seeking guidance from a guru or priest helps in understanding personalized atonement.
Meditation & Self-Discipline (Dhyana & Tapasya)
Patanjali Yoga Sutras 2.29 – “Self-restraint, discipline, and meditation lead to self-purification.”
Regular meditation (Dhyana) and penance (Tapas) help control the mind and reduce karma.
Hinduism emphasizes karma—sins create negative karma, and forgiveness is sought through purification, devotion, and service. Divine mercy (Kripa) is also key; sincere bhakti (devotion) can lead to spiritual liberation (Moksha).
Christianity
The Bible teaches that all people are inherently sinful and fail to live as God desires. it is the sin of all, whether we are religious or not, that separates us from God.
“There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:22-24
God alone is righteous and only righteous people can hope to enter his presence. In both Islam and Hinduism the final judgment, where admission to glory depends on how we have lived, is when our sins and balancing virtues are assessed. This judgement comes when we die.
In contrast, the Bible teaches that our only hope if a way can be found for our sin to be paid for. The sacrifice of animals in the Old Testament enacted this concept. When Jesus died on that cross he became the ultimate sacrifice that all the animal sacrifices looked forward to. Jesus bore our sin and so it was back then that Jesus took on himself the judgment of those who follow him.
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
This "once-for-all" sacrifice is the foundation that allows God to forgive anyone who accepts Christ and his death on their behalf. Those who are ‘in Christ’ are seen by God as having the righteousness of God.
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." 1 John 1:7
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." q1 John 1:9
Those who sincerely turn to live with and for Jesus are then empowered and motivated by the gift of God’s Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who makes Christ’s forgiven people want to live a very different life, one that pleases their Saviour.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
The apostle Peter made it clear what we have to do to receive God’s forgiveness:
"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." Acts 3:19
It is only through christ, and through him alone that people can be forgiven. Paul wrote:
"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Colossians 1:13-14
Peter told a group of God-fearing Gentiles:
"All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." Acts 10:43
This is a major difference between what Jesus and his apostles taught and what all other religions teach. Our only hope is in Jesus so the vital question is whether what he said and did for us is true.
