Another of Satan’s cunning wiles is to prevent man admitting his faults so that the way of seeking forgiveness and taking refuge with Allah should be closed. He also incites the egotism of the human soul, so that the soul defends itself like a lawyer, quite simply acquitting itself of all fault.

Yes, a soul that listens to Satan does not want to see its own faults. Even if it does see them, it explains them away in a hundred ways. According to the saying: “The eye of contentment is blind to faults,” when a person looks with pleasure on his soul, he does not see its faults. And because he does not see its faults, he does not admit to them, and does not seek forgiveness, nor seek refuge with Allah from them, and becomes the plaything of Satan. How can the soul be relied on when a noble prophet like Joseph (Upon whom be peace) said:

“Nor do I absolve my own self [of blame]; the [human] soul is certainly prone to evil, unless my Sustainer do bestow His mercy”?  (Qur’an, 12:53)

One who accuses his soul, sees its faults. And one who admits his faults, seeks forgiveness for them. And one who seeks forgiveness, takes refuge with Allah. And one who takes refuge with Allah, is saved from Satan’s evil. Not to see his faults is a greater fault than the first fault. And not to admit to his faults is a serious defect. If he sees the fault, it ceases to be a fault. If he admits it, he becomes worthy of forgiveness.

From The Risale-i Nur Collection