Reconciliation of a contradiction in the statements of our Akaabireen.

In Shawq-e-Watn (desire for the Aakhirah), Hadrat Thanvi R.A. has written that a person should think of his past sins, cry before Allah Ta'ala and repent. The Khalifah of Hadrat Thanvi R.A, Hadrat Doctor Abdul Hay Saheb R.A. states that if a person sincerely repents then Allah Ta'ala wipes out his sins. By continuously remembering one’s sins, one is actually reviving the past sins whereas Allah Ta'ala has already forgiven them which is a great favour from the side of Allah Ta'ala.  This is showing ingratitude which one should abstain from. There seems to be contradiction between these two views. How can this be reconciled?

Haji Imdaadullah Saheb R.A. used to recite the following poem from the time of Esha until Fajr. The manner in which he used to cry and recite the poem would cause the hearts of listeners to tear apart. When this was the condition of the listeners then what must have been the condition of Hadrat Haji Saheb r? Hadreat Thanvi R.A has written this poem,

يا من رانى على الخطايا فلم يفضحنى ولا تعذبنى فانك على قادر

O the one that sees me sinning yet He doesn’t humiliate me

And do not punish me for verily You have full power over me

He will continue pleading before Allah Ta'ala throughout the night in this manner. Coming to the answer to this contradiction, it means that one shouldn’t single out every sin and seek forgiveness. Yes, one should seek forgiveness for whatever sins were committed in one’s life on a general basis. Once a person has repented sincerely, the sins are forgiven thus there is no need to make mention of every sin.

Hadrat Shah Abdul Ghani Saheb R.A. used to cry and supplicate before Allah Ta'ala at the time of Tahajjud. Hadrat Maulana Mazhar Saheb R.A. explained that when Hadrat was living in Naazimabaad the house was extremely small. There was a little partition between Hadrat Hakim Saheb’s room and Maulana Mazhar Saheb’s room. He would hear Hadrat crying throughout the night and saying, “O Allah, forgive me.”

The Quraan Sharif also explains that the Sahaaba would seek forgiveness at the time of Sehri. This was carried out on an on-going basis in a general manner where they sought forgiveness for all sins committed and not by singling out every single sin.

Hadrat Hakim Saheb R.A explains that when a person singles out every sin when seeking forgiveness it causes a person to be distant from Allah Ta'ala. After making sincere Taubah there is hope that one’s sins are forgiven. Now even though a person may be forgiven, one should humble himself and keep seeking forgiveness. The Quraan, Hadith and guidance of the Akaabireen indicate towards this explanation.