in a river and came out clean. They then entered another river and took a bath and came out even more purified. Upon entering a third river and bathing, they were purified so much that their colour became bright like that of their companions. They then sat next to those companions with bright faces.

The Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم asked, ‘O Jibraeel! Who are these people?’ He said, ‘O Messenger of Allah صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم! This man (sat on the chair next to the door of Jannah) is your father Sayyiduna Ibrahim عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم; he is the first person on earth who combed his hair. Those with radiant faces have never mixed their Iman with any falsehood, and those who have discoloured skin are people who mixed their good deeds with some bad ones, but they repented, and Allah Almighty has accepted their repentance. The first river is a mercy of Allah Almighty, the second one is a favour of Allah Almighty and the third is where Allah Almighty made them drink pure wine.’^[1]

Dear Islamic brothers! You heard that those people whose faces had become darkened were purified as a result of diving into the river of Divine Mercy, this was followed by diving into a river of Divine favour which further purified them and when they drank from river of pure wine, their faces became completely bright. Remember that they attained salvation from the darkness of sins because they repented in the court of Allah Almighty (in the world), thus, Allah Almighty accepted their repentance and brightened their faces. In fact, true repentance not only removes the darkness of sins but also blesses a person with success & prosperity. Hence, Allah Almighty states in part 18, Surah an-Noor, Verse 31:

«وَ تُوْبُوْۤا اِلَى اللّٰهِ جَمِیْعًا اَیُّهَ الْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُوْنَ(۳۱)»

O Muslims! All of you turn towards Allah in repentance, in the hope of attaining success.

(Al-Quran 24: 31)