THE BELOVEDNESS OF TEARS OF REPENTANCE

It is stated in a Hadeeth-e-Qudsi that Allah Ta'aalaa says: the crying and lamenting of sinners, their abject appeal, their heaving sighs, their moaning and mourning while seeking forgiveness, is more beloved to ME than the Subhaanallah ofthe reciters of tasbeeh.

Maulana Roomi (rahmatullaahi alaih) says:

ALLAH TA'AALAA IN HIS INFINITE SPLENDOUR HAS EQUATED THE TEAR OF REPENTANCE TO THE MARTYR'S DROP OF BLOOD.

Maulana Roomi elucidates this point by saying that these tears of regret are not merely water shed by the eyes, but are the tears of the heart. the blood of the heart afflicted with the fear of ALLAH becomes water, which is then transformed into torrential tears, that turbulently cascade down one's cheeks.