Repentance is not fulfilled simply by a word or two that we utter. There are certain conditions that must be fulfilled before one’s repentance can be accepted.
Before stipulating the conditions, let us first differentiate between Tawbah (Repentance) & Istighfar (Seeking Forgiveness) according to Shaykh Ibn Baaz.
TAWBAH is having remorse for what one did, abandoning the sinful act & resolving not to go back to it again.
ISTIGHFAR can be tawbah & it could just be words. So saying: ‘Oh Allah! Forgive me’ is not Tawbah unless it is accompanied by having remorse, leaving the sin, and resolving not to return to it again.
Conditions of Repenting:
1) Sincerity
It’s essential that when a person invokes Allah’s forgiveness, he does so with the sincere intentions of renouncing his sins for Allah’s sake only.
“O you who believe! Turn to Allah with sincere repentance! It may be that your Lord will expiate from you your sins, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise)” [al-Tahreem 66:8]
Sincere repentance is not achieved if the sin is given up for any of the following reasons:
a. Being afraid of what people can say about you or how they may judge you
b. Quitting for the sake of maintaining good health or regaining strength (ex. to quit smoking, or give up adultery for fear of contracting a sexually transmitted disease)
c. Fear of going bankrupt (ex. Wasting money on buying alcohol or drugs)
d. Due to an obstruction or change that prevents him/her from continuing that sin (ex. A thief gets a good job so stops stealing, or a liar becomes paralyzed and can no longer speak)
2) Giving up the sin immediately
Saying you will repent ‘Tomorrow’ or ‘Next Week’ or ‘The New Year’ while still committing the sin is not only a sign of insincerity, and the probability of returning back to committing the same sin will be much greater.
3) Feeling Regret
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Regret is repentance.” (ibn Majah 4252)
Being regretful is a great indicator that the person committing the sin feels sincere guilt and hates the sin. This also means that this feeling cannot be accompanied by enjoyment whenever remembering past sins or the desire to return to it in the future.
4) Resolving not to go back to the sin
You’re determined that you will fight your Nafs (inner soul) and commit to never repeating the sin again. It’s important that one also makes constant dua to Allah to keep him steadfast and strong.
5) Making amends to those you have wronged or restoring the rights or property of a person you have violated
If one has wronged someone or violated a person’s right, one’s repentance will not be completed until all rights are restored. This includes:
a. Paying back any debts
b. Returning any stolen property/money to rightful owner
c. Matters of blood/life are resolved
d. In case of backbiting/slandering/
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Prayer of Repentance (Recommended)
Scholars all agree that the Prayer of Repentance is prescribed in Islamic Law.
Abu Bakr al-Siddeeq (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)say: “There is no one who commits a sin then purifies himself well and stands and prays two rak’ahs, then asks Allah for forgiveness, but Allah will forgive him. (Sunan Abi Dawud 1521 Sahih (Al-Albani))
Description of Prayer:
a. It is best to pray immediately when one decides to repent to Allah for a particular sin, but there is no problem in delaying the prayer.
b. Praying can be done in any time of the day, no restrictions
c. The prayer consists of two rakat followed by sincerely asking Allah to forgive him/her
d. It is recommended for the person who has repented to follow up with good deeds (i.e. charity)
Allah loves the repentance of His slaves and accepts it. Indeed, He rejoices over it, as the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “When a person repents, Allah rejoices more than one of you who found his camel after he lost it in the desert.” (Al-Bukhari 6309)
