Seeking forgiveness is a means of strengthening the body

Question:
I do body building to develop my physical strength, and my aim is jihad for the sake of Allaah.
1- Does praying for forgiveness give strength to the body? What are the times when we should ask Allaah for forgiveness, and how many times should we ask?
2- I hope that you can tell me some du’aa’s or dhikrs for increasing strength.

Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.

You have done well by forming this good intention for your exercise, for a good intention turns a habit into worship.

As for what you have asked about, whether praying for forgiveness increases a person’s strength, the answer is Yes. Allaah, may He be exalted, tells us that His Prophet Hood (peace be upon him) said to his people (interpretation of the meaning):

“And O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him, He will send you (from the sky) abundant rain, and add strength to your strength, so do not turn away as Mujrimoon (criminals, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allaah)”

[Hood 11:52]

Ibn al-Qayyim said in al-Waabil al-Sayyib (p. 77), when listing the benefits of dhikr, including praying for forgiveness:

Benefit no. 61:

Dhikr gives a person strength so that he can do with dhikr that which he cannot do without it. I saw wonders in the strength of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah in walking, speech, courage and writing. He used to write in one day what a scribe would write in a week, or more. The troops saw his amazing strength in war. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) taught his daughter Faatimah and ‘Ali (may Allaah be pleased with them) to recite tasbeeh thirty-three times every night when they went to bed, and to recite tahmeed thirty-three times, and to recite takbeer thirty-four times, when she asked him for a servant and complained to him about the hardship of grinding corn, working and serving (her family). He taught her that and said: “It is better for you than a servant.” It was said: The one who persists in doing that will find strength in his body that will make him independent of the need for a servant. End quote.

With regard to the times for dhikr and the number of times it should be repeated, the believer should remember Allaah at all times and in all situations. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Those who remember Allaah (always, and in prayers) standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides”

[Aal ‘Imraan 3:191].

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would remember Allaah at all times. Narrated by Muslim.

So one should remember Allaah a great deal and pray for forgiveness. The more he does that, the better.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“O you who believe! Remember Allaah with much remembrance. 42. And glorify His Praises morning and afternoon [the early morning (Fajr) and ‘Asr prayers]”

[al-Ahzaab 33:41, 42]

“and the men and the women who remember Allaah much with their hearts and tongues. Allaah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise)”

[al-Ahzaab 33:35].

Muslim (2702) narrated from al-Agharr al-Muzani (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “I ask Allaah for forgiveness one hundred times a day.”

And Abu Dawood (1516) narrated that Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: We used to count when the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said in one sitting one hundred times: Rabb ighfir li wa tubb ‘alayya, innaka anta al-tawaab al-raheem (Lord forgive me and accept my repentance, for You are the Accepter of repentance, the Most Merciful). Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.

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