08-13-2004, 09:29 PM
Salam Aleykom,
May I recommend that you might want to approach her as a "child". From past experiences I found that sometimes people tend to retreat into thinking that some of the damage or hurt they caused someone or even themselves is unrepairable. Using simple examples such as a mother forgiving her child of any wrong oing may slowly lead her into believing that forgiveness is guaranteed by Allah (swt) is repentance is sencere! And to Allah is the most exalted example, but usually we tend to feel ashamed of what we do and believe that is can never be mended, but remind her that is why Allah has given the blessing of forgiveness, because even is we repeatedly commit sins Allah will repeatedly forgive is the repentance is sincere every time.
Also a reminder that it is shaitan that wispers to your friend that itis impossible to be forgiven. And you may also recite the Hadith Qudsi where Allah (swt) explains how even if is most disobedient servant approaches him with a mountian of sins, and wants Allah to forgive him/her Allah (swt) will return an equivilant amount of forgiveness in return. (Paraphrasing)
And alwaysa good reminder that Allah (swt) has created us with an ability to sin so he can forgive us. May Allah grant us his mercy and forgiveness on the Day of reckoning Ameen.