Al-Imām ibn al-Qayyim [may Allāh have mercy on him] said:
“For the people who commit sins there are three glorious rivers in which they shall purify themselves in this worldly-life and if these do not suffice in purifying them, then they will purified in the river of Hell on the Day of Judgment:
[The three glorious rivers in the worldly-life are:]
1. A river of sincere repentance
2. A river of good deeds which drown the sins by encompassing them.
3. A river of great calamities [that befall the sinner] which expiate [the sins he has committed].
Therefore, when Allah intends good for His servant, He permits him to enter into one of these three rivers, enabling the sinner to become purified and cleansed on the Day of Judgement, not requiring the fourth purification [the river of Hell].”
Madārij as-Sālikeen, 1/312 | Al-Imām ibn al-Qayyim [may Allāh have mercy on him]
Translation: Authentic Quotes