I was a young man deviating from the religion in the sense implied by the word “deviation,” then Allah granted me repentance from Him, and I returned to the religion.
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The questioner : This is a questioner asking the honorable Shaykh to be a helper for him in answering this question. The summary of his question is that he says: I was a young man deviating from the religion in the sense implied by the word “deviation.” Then Allah granted me repentance from Him, and I returned to the religion. But the obstacles, as you know, are many, and the hindrances are even more. Then I would repent and return several times, making a covenant with Allah and swearing by Allah that I would not return, yet I would return. And he says: After a period that lasted four years, and I was in that state, I would commit a sin, then swear not to return, then return. Then Allah, by His grace, favor, and mercy, granted me [repentance], and I left all the sins I used to commit. My question, O honorableThe Shaykh : Is a repentance like this one, which was not pure and clean, accepted? And what do I do regarding these oaths? Do I expiate them? Knowing that I do not know their number, or is it sufficient to abandon those sins?
And at the end of the question, he says: What do I do regarding the covenant? And do I fall under the saying of Allah the Exalted:[Ar-Ra'd 13:25]?
The Shaykh : Yes. I say: Praise be to Allah who, in the end, granted our brother repentance and the rectification of his deeds. And I give him good news, according to what I know from the Book and the Sunnah, that his repentance is valid. And I ask Allah for him steadfastness; let him be steadfast and not pay attention to the whispers that Satan casts into his heart. His repentance is accepted. Let him continue in the obedience of Allah and the avoidance of His disobedience.
As for what happened with the oaths and covenants, it suffices for all of them that he feeds ten poor people, because they are oaths or vows in the sense of oaths. And the thing sworn upon is one thing. And when the oaths are multiple and the thing sworn upon is one thing, one expiation suffices for all of them. So we say to our brother: Feed ten poor people, giving each poor person a kilo of rice. And put meat with it so that it is a meal for them; otherwise, invite ten of the poor to lunch or dinner, and that will suffice you.
I ask Allah for him steadfastness and that He may make His blessing continuous upon us and upon you. And this is among the blessings of Allah upon him that he feels the sin and knows that he has a Lord who forgives the sin and takes account of it. And He, Glorified and Exalted is He, is the Most Merciful of the merciful.
The questioner : May Allah reward the honorable Shaykh with the best reward. And may Allah reward you with good for your attendance. And praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may He send blessings and peace upon His servant and messenger Muhammad.
And at the end of the question, he says: What do I do regarding the covenant? And do I fall under the saying of Allah the Exalted:
But those who break the covenant of Allah after contracting it
وَالَّذِينَ يَنقُضُونَ عَهْدَ اللَّهِ مِنْ بَعْدِ مِيثَاقِهِThe Shaykh : Yes. I say: Praise be to Allah who, in the end, granted our brother repentance and the rectification of his deeds. And I give him good news, according to what I know from the Book and the Sunnah, that his repentance is valid. And I ask Allah for him steadfastness; let him be steadfast and not pay attention to the whispers that Satan casts into his heart. His repentance is accepted. Let him continue in the obedience of Allah and the avoidance of His disobedience.
As for what happened with the oaths and covenants, it suffices for all of them that he feeds ten poor people, because they are oaths or vows in the sense of oaths. And the thing sworn upon is one thing. And when the oaths are multiple and the thing sworn upon is one thing, one expiation suffices for all of them. So we say to our brother: Feed ten poor people, giving each poor person a kilo of rice. And put meat with it so that it is a meal for them; otherwise, invite ten of the poor to lunch or dinner, and that will suffice you.
I ask Allah for him steadfastness and that He may make His blessing continuous upon us and upon you. And this is among the blessings of Allah upon him that he feels the sin and knows that he has a Lord who forgives the sin and takes account of it. And He, Glorified and Exalted is He, is the Most Merciful of the merciful.
The questioner : May Allah reward the honorable Shaykh with the best reward. And may Allah reward you with good for your attendance. And praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may He send blessings and peace upon His servant and messenger Muhammad.