Question
Reference number: 522802 | Miscellaneous | March 22, 2020
What is the ruling if one committed a lot of sins and then regretted? Would Allah forgive him and cleanse those sins, or would He punish the one who committed such sins in the Afterlife even if one repented?
Answer
Praise Be to Allah and Peace Be Upon His Messenger.
The answer to your questions is clearly stated in the following verse. Allah says: “Say: My slaves who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah. Verily, Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” Az-Zumar: 53
Allah also says: “Verily! Allah forgives not (the sins of) setting up partners (in worship) with Him, but He forgives whom He wills sins other than that.” An-Nisa’; 116
As long as converting into Islam waives all the past sins, offering the sincere repentance also waives all past sins. However, if some sins are related to other people’s rights such as taking their money or distorting their image, a Muslim should give the rights back, and reveal the truth.
If some sins are related to gossip or mocking, a Muslim does not have to ask people to forgive them as this may lead to hatred instead of love. It is sufficient if one quits gossip, asks Allah to forgive them, performs more worships such as performing prayers and paying charity.