Is prayer a condition for repentance?
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The second question of Fatwa No. ( 19045 )
Q 2: I have returned to Allah and repented from all sins—may Allah forgive me—and I have heard that the repentant person is required to pray two rak'ahs without being distracted by whispers, and then repent afterwards or during the prayer . I asked a brother of mine in Allah, and he said: No, rather repentance is without that; you may repent at any time, and you are not required to pray. What should I do? Guide us, may Allah reward you with good for us?
A 2: It is not a condition for the validity of repentance that you pray two rak'ahs. Rather, the conditions are ceasing the sin, resolving not to return to it, feeling remorse for what has passed, and relinquishing the rights of creation. May Allah accept our repentance and yours. However, if one purifies oneself, prays two rak'ahs, and then repents to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) with remorse for what has passed, ceasing the sin, and a sincere resolve not to return to it, that is more complete and closer to the acceptance of repentance. This is based on what is established from Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sunan Ibn Majah 1395Hasan (Darussalam) It was narrated by the Imam Ahmad in (al-Musnad). And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q 2: I have returned to Allah and repented from all sins—may Allah forgive me—and I have heard that the repentant person is required to pray two rak'ahs without being distracted by whispers, and then repent afterwards or during the prayer . I asked a brother of mine in Allah, and he said: No, rather repentance is without that; you may repent at any time, and you are not required to pray. What should I do? Guide us, may Allah reward you with good for us?
A 2: It is not a condition for the validity of repentance that you pray two rak'ahs. Rather, the conditions are ceasing the sin, resolving not to return to it, feeling remorse for what has passed, and relinquishing the rights of creation. May Allah accept our repentance and yours. However, if one purifies oneself, prays two rak'ahs, and then repents to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) with remorse for what has passed, ceasing the sin, and a sincere resolve not to return to it, that is more complete and closer to the acceptance of repentance. This is based on what is established from Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
There is no man who commits a sin then he performs ablution and does it well, then he prays two Rak’ah,’ (one of the narrators) Mis’ar said: ‘then performs prayer and seeks the forgiveness of Allah, but Allah will forgive him.’
ما من رجل يذنب ذنبًا فيتوضأ فيحسن الوضوء ثم يصلي ركعتين فيستغفر الله عز وجل إلا غفر له
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.