al-Hafidh Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (rahimahullaah) has a section in his book “Lata’if al-Ma’arif fima li Mawasim al-Aam min al-Wadha’if”, the sixth Majaalis, about Bidding Farewell to Ramadan, in which he writes:
عباد الله إن شهر رمضان قد عزم على الرحيل ولم يبق منه إلا القليل فمن منكم أحسن فيه فعليه التمام ومن فرط فليختمه بالحسنى والعمل بالختام فاستغنموا منه ما بقي من الليالي اليسيرة والأيام واستودعوه عملا صالحا يشهد لكم به عند الملك العلام وودعوه عند فراقه بأزكى تحية وسلام.
Oh servants of Allah, indeed the month of Ramadan has prepared to leave, and nothing remains except a few more days. Whoever has done well during the month should continue to do well, and whoever was deficient, should try to end the month in good, for indeed actions are according to their completion. Therefore, take advantage of what remains of the month, and give the month the best farewell and peace.
قلوب المتقنين إلى هذا الشهر تحن ومن ألم فراقه تئن. إذا كان هذا جزع من ربح فيه, فكيف حال من خسر في أيامه ولياليه ماذا ينفع المفرط فيه بكاؤه وقد عظمت فيه مصيبته وجل عزاؤه
The hearts of the believers yearn for this month and mourn over its departure. If this is the case with those who have gained during this month, then what is the case with those who have been negligent during its days and nights? What will the crying of this negligent person benefit him, when his trial and calamity is so great and tremendous?
كم نصح المسكين فما قبل النصح كم دعي إلى المصالحة فما أجاب إلى الصلح كم شاهد الواصلين فيه وهو متباعد كم مرت به زمر السائرين وهو قاعد حتى إذا ضاق به الوقت وخاف المقت ندم على التفريط حين لا ينفع الندم وطلب الإستدراك في وقت العدم.
How many times was this poor individual advised, but he did not accept this advice! How many times was he called to correction, but he did not answer this call! How many people did he view gaining in this month, while he distanced himself from gain! How many times have the obedient passed him by, while he sat! (And now) time is constrained and reality has befallen him, now he regrets, but there is no benefit in this regret.
Source: ”Lata’if al-Ma’arif fima li Mawasim al-Aam min al-Wadha’if” of Ibn Rajab, pages 216-217.
al-Hafidh Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (rahimahullaah) also writes:
إن كانت الرحمة للمحسنين فالمسيء لا ييأس منها وإن تكن المغفرة مكتوبة للمتقين فالظالم لنفسه غير محجوب عنها غيره.
إن كان عفوك لا يرجوه ذو خطأ … فمن يجود على العاصين بالكرم. غيره: إن كان لا يرجوك إلا محسن … فمن الذي يرجو ويدعو المذنب.
If mercy is shown to the good doers, then the wrong doer should not despair from it, and if forgiveness is shown to those who have piety, then one who has wronged himself will not be deprived of it.
If your forgiveness is not hoped for with (every) error, then who will be generous to the sinners!
Oh Allah, if the only one that calls on You is the good doer, then who should the sinner call on!
لم لا يرجى العفو من ربنا وكيف لا يطمع في حلمه وفي الصحيح: أنه بعبده أرحم من أمه: {قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ لا تَقْنَطُوا مِنْ رَحْمَةِ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعاً} [الزمر: 53] .
Why should we despair of the pardoning of our Lord, and how can one not seek His gentleness?! It is mentioned in a hadeeth that Allah is more forgiving and merciful to His servants than their own mothers.
Allah says:
{Oh My servants who have wronged themselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah, verily He forgives all sins} [Qur’an Surah az-Zumar 39:53]
فيا أيها العاصي وكلنا ذلك لا تقنط من رحمة الله بسوء أعمالك فكم يعتق من النار في هذه الأيام من أمثالك فأحسن الظن بمولاك وتب إليه فإنه لا يهلك على الله هالك.
Oh sinner ‐and all of us are sinners, do not despair from the mercy of Allah because of your evil deeds. How many people will be freed from the Hell‐fire during these days, and their affair is similar to yours. It is upon you to think good of your Lord, and repent to Him, for verily no one will be destroyed except he who destroys (himself).
إذا أوجعتك الذنوب فداوها … برفع يد بالليل والليل مظلم. ولا تقنطن من رحمة الله إنما … قنوطك منها من ذنوبك أعظم. فرحمته للمحسنين كرامة … ورحمته للمذنبين تكرم.
If your sins are harming you, then cure them by raising your hands during the dark night. Do not despair from the mercy of Allah, for verily your despairing from His mercy is a greater fault than the sin you committed. For His mercy for the good doers is His honoring them and His mercy for the sinners is His kindness to them.
Source: ”Lata’if al-Ma’arif fima li Mawasim al-Aam min al-Wadha’if” of Ibn Rajab, page 213