How to repent
Note: The topic of how a person new to Islam repents and becomes
Muslim is dealt with separately in the section
Accepting Islam.
It is highly desirable for a Muslim to ask for forgiveness on a regular basis every day, particularly after the 5 daily compulsory prayers, as was the practice of the Prophet (PBUH). This is doing by saying "Astaghfir-Allah" three times, which means "I seek Allah's forgiveness".
Thawban said, "When the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to finish his prayer, he asked forgiveness three times and said, 'O Allah, You are Peace and peace is from You. You are blessed, O Possessor of majesty and nobility.'" Al-Awza'i, one of the transmitters of the hadith, was asked, "How was the asking forgiveness?" He said, "You say, 'I ask Allah's forgiveness. I ask Allah's forgiveness.'".
(Hadith)
If a Muslim commits a sin, particularly a major sin, they should make wudu, pray two rakaahs and then ask for Allah's forgiveness.
Ali who said that Abu Bakr told him that he heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) say: There is no servant who commits a sin and then he purifies himself (wudu) and then prays two rakaahs (iterations of prayer) and then seeks forgiveness of Allah except that Allah forgives him.
(Hadith)
The best ways to ask for forgiveness are those of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who knew the most supreme ways of calling on Allah. However, if a person does not know the specific phrases or chooses otherwise, then repentance can be done in any language and in any place, so long as it is directly to Allah alone. Additionally, there are certain conditions of repentance that must be met (these are discussed further in the next subsection below).
Islam teaches that repentance consists of two important elements:
-
Sincere faith in the one true God (Allah) who alone deserves man's worship and devotion.
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The performance of righteous deeds prescribed by Allah
This has an important consequence. It is only by Allah's Grace and Mercy will anyone attain paradise, since it is only Him that truly knows if a person is sincere in their repentance and good deeds.
"Were it not for Allah's Grace and Mercy on you all, none of you would have ever become purified; but Allah purifies whom He pleases. And Allah hears and knows all."
(Qur'an 24:21)
This means that good deeds on their own as an act of penance are meaningless without the right intention, faith and sincerity.
Abu Hurayrah and 'Aisha both related that Prophet Muhammad said:
"'Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and rejoice, for no one's deeds will put him in paradise.' They asked, 'Not even you, oh Messenger of Allah?' He replied, 'Not even me unless Allah bestows His pardon and mercy on me.'"
(Hadith)
This is not to say, however, that good deeds are meaningless, since there is a direct link between faith, the performance of righteous deeds and divine Grace. Allah's mercy is not something random that would cause an evil person to enter Paradise whilst denying it to a person who is righteous and believing. This would truly defeat the purpose of having free will and the Day of Judgement altogether, since it would mean that there was no point in striving to do good in the first place. Rather, Allah's wisdom and His justice complement His grace and mercy.
This ensures that repentance has an effect on the soul rather than performing deeds without feeling or thought. Actions that are just movements of tongue, body or otherwise without sincerity have little effect on the person long-term as a means for improving themselves. Furthermore, without sincerity it would mean that a person was performing good deeds for some reason other than for Allah's sake, such as to please other people or gain their respect. Sincerity is essential so that this false intention is avoided, whilst good deeds are necessary for the person to see positive transformations in their life as a step forward towards what is good and leading a life of righteousness.
Good deeds are also important because they are a means of avoiding depression through the sinner's sorrow and remorse. If the sinner does fall into this depressed state it only makes them more susceptible to returning to sin because they are in a weakened state of faith.
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