What are the conditions of sincere repentance?

Answer

Praise Be to Allah and Peace Be Upon His Messenger.

The most important condition is having the sincere intention of repentance, regretting, and quitting doing sins. The Palestinian House of Verdict once received a question which was: “I was a good Muslim, but I passed through difficult times which made me profligate. I committed many major sins, and I almost turned back from Islam. I disrespected the Holy Qur’an. Then, I felt tremendous fear, and I regretted. I asked Allah to forgive me and expiate my sins. Will Allah accept my repentance and forgive me? Please guide me to offer a sincere repentance.

The Mufti’s answer was: Initially, Allah says: “And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful.” An-Nur: 31

He also says: “O you who believe! Turn to Allah with sincere repentance! It may be that your Lord will expiate from you your sins.” At-Tahrim: 8

Repentance means that you should get rid of all sins. It is needed whenever one commits a sin. If the sins are related to Allah’s obligations; in other words, if one disobeys Allah and has not taken any people’s rights, then there are three conditions:

1. Quitting the guilt
2. Regretting doing these sins
3. Being determined not to do the sin again

There is a fourth condition if one has taken any people’s rights. If it is money or property, it should be given back. If it is like gossip, one should ask for forgiving. It is preferred that a Muslim repents and asks Allah for His Forgiveness every day.

Al-Agharr Al-Muzani narrated that the prophet said: “O people! Seek repentance from Allah. Verily, I seek repentance from Him a hundred times a day.”. Related by Muslim

Indeed, Allah becomes delighted once a Muslim repents and regrets. Anas Ibn Malik narrated: “Verily, Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His slave than a person who loses his camel on which he puts his food and water. He sleeps and wakes up to find it lost. Then he goes to look for it till he becomes thirsty. Then he goes back to his place exhausted. He decides to sleep waiting for death. Then he wakes up again to find his camel next to him with all the stuff. Allah is more pleased with the repentance of his slave than this man who has found his camel.” Related by Muslim

The door of repentance is still open and will remain open until the sun rises from the west. Abu Mosa Al-Ash’ari narrated that the prophet said: “Allah continues to stretch His Hand in the night so that the sinners of the day may repent. And He continues to stretch His Hand in the daytime so that the sinners of the night may repent until the sun rises from the west.” Related by Muslim

Another hadith is: “Allah will accept the repentance of His slave as long as his spirit does not reach his throat (has not died yet).” Sunan At-Tirmidhi

All these hadiths are telling you that Allah accepts your repentance and will forgive you as long as you offer it sincerely.

Do not feel despaired thinking that Allah will not forgive you. Allah is the Forgiver of sins and the Accepter of repentance. Keep praying to Him saying that Your Forgiveness is greater than my sins. Keep observing your rituals such as prayers and fasting. Be good to your family. Always remember death and the Afterlife. May Allah guide you to the right path.