8 Steps Of Atonement

1. Point out the wrong 

The first stage is the most difficult of all because when we are wrong and we are not aware of it, someone has to point out the wrong.

The most difficult thing is, when somebody points out, do we accept it? Do we reject it? Do we hate the person who pointed out our wrong? How do we treat the person who points out our wrong?

2. Acknowledge the wrong

To acknowledge means to admit the existence, the reality or the truth of some reality, it is to recognize as being valid or having force and power. It is express thanks, appreciation or gratitude. 

So in this context, the word acknowledgement means to be in a state of recognition of the truth of the fact that we have been wrong.

3. Confess the fault

To free the soul, or the essence of man, from its burden, one must acknowledge one's wrong, but then one must confess. 

So , who should you confess to? First, you confess to God. He already knows, but when you confess you're relieving your soul of the burden that it bears. 

4. Repentance

When you repent, you feel remorse, or contrition, or shame for the past conduct which was and is, wrong and sinful. 

It means to feel contrition or self-reproach for what one has done or failed to do, and it is the experiencing of such regret for past conduct that involves the changing of our mind toward that sin. 

5. Atonement 

 Atonement means satisfaction or reparation for a wrong or injury. It means to make amends. It means penitence, expiation, compensation, and recompense made or done for an injury or wrong. Atonement means we must be willing to do something in expiation of our sins. 

6. Forgiveness

Many of us want forgiveness but we don't want to go through the process that leads to it. When we say we forgive from our lips we we have never pardoned in the heart, so the injury still remains.

It means to cease to feel offense and resentment against another for the harm done by an offender. It means to wipe the slate clean. 

7. Reconciliation & Restoration

After forgiveness we are going to be restored to what? To our original position, to restore, to reconcile, means to become friendly, peaceable again. 

It means to resolve differences, IT can mean to establish or re-establish a close relationship between the previously hostile persons. So restoration means the act of returning something to an original or unimpaired condition. 

8. Perfect Union

When you're back to an unimpaired position, you have reached the eighth stage which is perfect union, and when we go through all these steps there is no difference between us that we can't heal.

The eighth stage is perfect union with God/Allah/Creator