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Fatwa CenterErrors resulting from forgetfulness are pardoned, Allaah willing
Question
Assalaamu alaykum. I really appreciate the answers that you give as they help me greatly, praise be to Allaah. I have one question about what is considered disrespect or just a mistake. In my school textbook, it talks about Islam, and there are some english translations of verses of the Quran and the name of Allaah and other things. One time, not thinking that these things were in the book, I placed the textbook of the ground while on my desk and I moved it on the ground a little with my foot. I immediatley realized that I may have put my foot on a book containing the name of Allaah and the translation of the verses of the Quran. Am I sinful for this, and how badly? Even if I forgot or was unaware that the english translation of the verses of the Quran was in the book, could I still be held accountable for putting my foot on it as I knew from before that the Islamic information was in there. Could it be said that I should have known and that forgetting is not an excuse? Please share your knowledge/advice. What is a recommended supplication to fix this? May Allaah reward you.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ʻalayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
We fear that you may be suffering from some sort of waswaas (obsessive whisperings) in this regard. If so, you should disregard and repel such whisperings and absolutely pay no attention to them. You should know that you bear no sin for such an action as long as you acted out of forgetfulness; the Muslim is not held accountable for actions done in a state of forgetfulness. Allaah, The Exalted, says (what means): {...Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred...} [Quran 2:286]
It has been reported that Allaah, The Exalted, says in response, "I have done so," as cited by Imaam Muslim 
.
Allaah also says (what means): {... And there is no blame upon you for that in which you have erred but (only for) what your hearts intended...} [Quran 33:5]
Hence, you should be lenient with yourself and ignore this matter; you bear no sin for it, Allaah willing. You should also know that there is no specific supplication for such a condition. Rather, the Muslim is enjoined to remember his Lord and seek His forgiveness frequently; verily, that yields great rewards.
Allaah knows best.
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