Sincere Repentance

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Repentance is required for all sins, great or small, apparent or hidden. Repentance is for the benefit of man, since Allaah سبحانه و تعالى Himself is free of need.

The word “Taubah” literally means “turning back”. Since, sin puts distance between the soul and Allaah سبحانه و تعالى, during repentance the servant turns back to Allaah سبحانه و تعالى, seeking refuge in His forgiveness. And when a soul repents and returns to Him, Allaah سبحانه و تعالى turns back to His servant in acceptance and forgiveness. Thus Allaah سبحانه و تعالى has named Himself “at-Tawwaab”, the constant Acceptor of Repentance and sometimes translated as “the Oft-Returning”.

Repentance is subjected to certain prerequisites and conditions: knowledge, regret, cessation, apology, and rectification. When all of them are met, the servant is considered to have returned to Allaah سبحانه و تعالى.

1) Knowledge: A prerequisite to repentance is knowledge and the admission of sin, for ignorance and denial are barriers, preventing return. Knowledge of the Halaal and Haraam,  Sunnah and Bid`ah, as well as the knowledge of the consequences of sin, both in this world and in the next, will make one most anxious to escape the result of his carelessness. And where can he find refuge and protection from that except with Allaah سبحانه و تعالى? Therefore, one should consider the reason he fell into sin, which is that he, temporarily, forgot Allaah سبحانه و تعالى. 

2) Regret: regret and remorse must replace the acceptance and satisfaction which allow the continuation of a sin. It is pain felt in the heart at a loss for which there is a personal responsibility – a loss that could have been prevented. In this case, it refers to the loss of Allaah’s protection and the nearness to Him which gives peace of mind. In addition, there is fear following the realization of the seriousness of that offense that has damaged the soul and of the severe penalty of the Hereafter, which can only be avoided through Allaah’s mercy. As with the loss of a dear one or of a valuable friendship, pain is evident in prolonged sorrow and weeping. The offender wishes intensely that he had never committed such an error and he desperately seeks some means to amend the situation.

If a person does not regret and is not ashamed of the sin that he has committed, he will never repent. Rather, he will commit the same sin again. As the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

Narrated Abu Musud: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "One of the sayings of the prophets which the people have got is, 'If you do not feel ashamed, then do whatever you like." [Sahih Bukhari Vol. 4, Hadeeth 691]

3) Cessation: Cessation is imperative. Repentance is not possible while one is still committing the sin, In fact, persistence in a small sin increase it until it carries the weight of a great sin. The offender must desist immediately, determining not to return to that offense ever again. If, however, through human weakness and in spite of earnest effort one should again fall into the same sin, he must repent again and renew his resolve to avoid that error, for Allaah سبحانه و تعالى never refuses sincere repentance.

Narrated Al Harith bin Suwaid: 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud related to us two narrations: One from the Prophet and the other from himself, saying: "A believer sees his sins as if he were sitting under a mountain which, he is afraid, may fall on him; whereas the wicked person considers his sins as flies passing over his nose and he just drives them away like this." Abu Shihab (the sub-narrator) moved his hand over his nose in illustration. (Ibn Mas'ud added): Allaah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "Allaah is more pleased with the repentance of His slave than a man who encamps at a place where his life is jeopardized, but he has his riding beast carrying his food and water. He then rests his head and sleeps for a short while and wakes to find his riding beast gone. (He starts looking for it) and suffers from severe heat and thirst or what Allaah wished (him to suffer from). He then says, 'I will go back to my place.' He returns and sleeps again, and then (getting up), he raises his head to find his riding beast standing beside him." [Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol. 8, Hadeeth 320]

4) Apology: Apology to Allaah سبحانه و تعالى is in order. Sin acts as a barrier between man and his Lord; therefore, one must seek forgiveness through repeated prayers and supplication, humbly admitting to Allaah سبحانه و تعالى his weakness, his need for His Mercy and Protection, and the gravity of what he has done. Begging Allaah سبحانه و تعالى to accept his repentance and to return him to His grace through His generosity, the servant is most acutely aware of his dependence and fallibility.

Allaah سبحانه و تعالى says: {Except those who repent and believe (in Islaamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds; for those, Allaah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allaah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. And whosoever repents and does righteous good deeds; then verily, he repents towards Allaah with true repentance.} [Surah al-Furqaan (25): 70-71]

5) Rectification: Rectification applies both to the relationship between oneself and Allaah سبحانه و تعالى, which must be amended, and to the rights of one’s fellow human beings. Certain acts (such as violation of Ihram, breaking oaths and accidental killing) require a kaffaarah (expiation); yet, in most cases involving obligations to Allaah سبحانه و تعالى alone, the conditions of regret, cessation and apology are the only requirements for forgiveness. However, a person who is especially anxious to regain the pleasure of Allaah سبحانه و تعالى (fearing a fault in his repentance) can undertake to do extra deeds of righteousness such as additional prayers, fasting or charity – in short, any lawful means of worship.

As for injury done to another party (which is disobedience to Allaah سبحانه و تعالى as well), the damage must be restored or adequately compensated for whenever possible, or the forgiveness of the other party must be obtained. For example, if property has been taken in an unlawful manner or damaged, it must be returned or replaced (even if this might involve a long search for someone wronged years ago, or if he has died, for his heirs). In the case of harm done by the word of mouth (as through false witness or slander), one must make the utmost effort to right his wrong by confessing openly and asking forgiveness of the victim. If it is thought that (as in some cases backbiting and gossip of which the victim is unaware) admission might lead to further problems, one should certainly take care to speak well of that person on future occasions and ask forgiveness from Allaah سبحانه و تعالى.

(Adopted from the book “Realities of Faith”)