How Does a Muslim Repent

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Question:

How does a Muslim repent sincerely according to Islam? - An overview of Islamic teachings on repentance, the conditions for sincere tawbah, and how Muslims seek forgiveness from Allah. :::

Answer:

Say: “O ‘Ibâdî (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allâh, verily Allâh forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Az-Zumar 39:53)

“Every son of Adam sins, and the best of those who sin are those who repent.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2499

So following steps need to be taken for a muslim to repent:

  1. Hope in Allah’s mercy; Sincerity in repentance and right intention which means he regrets having committed the sin and resolves thinks that he will try not to repeat the sin again.

  2. Don’t delay, try to repent at the earliest. (repentance is not accepted when death approaches for ex.)

“Allaah will accept the repentance of His slave so long as the death-rattle has not yet reached his throat.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 3537; classed as hasan by al-Albaani.

  1. Perform “prayer of repentance: Salat-ul-Tawbah” of two rak’ahs OR just prayer especially after salaat ( Quran and Hadith provide us with many Duas that one can use to ask for Allah’s forgiveness like Astaghfirullah).

As for Salat-ul-Tawbah, it was authentically reported on the authority of Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

Anyone who commits a sin, performs Wudu’ (ablution) properly, and then offers two Rak’ahs (units of Prayer) wherein he asks Allah to forgive his sins, Allah will accept his Tawbah. (Related by Ahmad)May Allah grant us success!

Source : Ibn Baaz fatwas from alifta.com

‘’The one who repents from sins is like the one who has no sin’ Ibn Majah Declared Hasan by Shaykh Al Albaani [Source: Shaykh Fawzaan’s Explanation of Sharhus Sunnah of Imaam Barbahaaree Point 170]