May I say actually, there is no difference whatsoever in the aql al saleem of Islam and the sincere repentance required of a Christian. The huge difference is that whilst repentance can clean up sin, it can't clean up the inner shame that results from sin.
When I sin, I don't only "damage" my own self and my relationship to God, I am left with the shame of what I have done. In Isaiah 53 it says that he bore our sins, and he took away our shame.
You see, even if I don't think about original sin... I KNOW I am a sinner and that no matter how hard I try I keep on sinning. Okay, maybe they may be considered "little" sins, but Jesus said that even to think ill of someone and hating them in your heart is like murdering them in real life.
Christians don't believe it's only the sin that defiles you it's also the attitude of your heart. No matter how many times you as a Muslim confess your sins, even go to hajj, you have to keep up all the requirements of Islam to ensure you stay in submission to islam and walk according to his requirements. But, you still have to work towards your salvation by keeping on doing those good deeds all your life. .. but you are never free from the shame that is associated with the sin you have committed. I personally believe that the relief of the day of repentance experienced on the hajj, is that you spend a day truly aware of your shame before Almighty God. Can any Hajji tell me how long that relief lasts for once you leave the "holiness" of mecca and return to your own world? How long does that relief last for, before again you begin striving to meet what you know in your heart, is the requirements of God?
Peace Carol,
Your insights about hajj is not accurate. Actually you have to learn more about Islam and some concepts.
Tawba (regret, repentance) is a central concept in Islam. You turn to God directly (with no intermediate.) and pray and ask His Forgiveness for your sins. (Quran 2:222) Tawba-i nasuh means you promise God that you wont go back to your old ways and be a new and sraight man. (Quran 66:8)
Prophet Muhammad said the surah Hud made him age and it is because of a verse in that surah. The verse is:
"[11] Continue then in the right way as you are commanded, as also he who has turned (to Allah) with you, and be not inordinate (O men!), surely He sees what you do. "
Tawba is a must but it is harder to keep it straight the rest of your life. But the door of tawba is never closed.
Another concept is taqwa. Taqwa means is continuous awareness of God's might and being careful at designing one's life according to His will. (Quran 48:26, 7:96, 64:16)
Hajj has both individual and social dimensions. First of all being at holy lands is inspirational, it invokes intense feelings. Socially it is a place where rich and poor, black and white, all differences fade away and be a one muslim nation before God. It is in a way a performance of the day of reckoning.
Unite