Exposition of the Hadith on Repentance

This noble tradition from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), transmitted by the esteemed companion Ibn 'Umar and recorded in Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah, establishes a fundamental principle of divine mercy. The phrase "ma lam yugharghir" indicates the final moments when the soul reaches the throat during the death process, marking the absolute limit for repentance's acceptance.

Scholarly Commentary on the Timing of Repentance

The scholars of Islam have unanimously agreed that this hadith demonstrates the vastness of Allah's mercy and the continuous opportunity for His servants to return to Him. As long as the signs of imminent death have not manifested - specifically the death rattle (gharghara) - the door of repentance remains open.

Imam al-Nawawi, in his commentary on Sahih Muslim, explains that this encompasses all forms of repentance, whether from minor or major sins, provided the conditions of sincere repentance are met: ceasing the sin immediately, feeling genuine remorse, and having firm determination not to return to it.

Practical Implications and Spiritual Wisdom

This teaching serves as both a warning and an encouragement. It warns against delaying repentance, for death may come unexpectedly, and encourages immediate return to Allah without despairing of His mercy. The great Hanafi jurist Ibn Abidin states in his Hashiyah that this hadith should not lead to complacency, as one never knows when their final moment will arrive.

The spiritual masters, including Imam al-Ghazali in his Ihya' 'Ulum al-Din, emphasize that while the door remains open, the quality of repentance in health is superior to that in sickness, and early repentance allows for more righteous deeds to compensate for past transgressions.