What is your guidance for one who has some sins and transgressions but loves knowledge and scholars?

Question:
A questioner says: I love knowledge and scholars, and I listen to their lessons and guidance, but I have some sins and transgressions. What is your guidance?

Answer:
You must continue to love knowledge, seek knowledge, and deepen your understanding of the religion. You must hasten to repent, for Allah repents of those who repent (Exalted and Majestic is He). The door is open. So strive in seeking knowledge and deepening your understanding of the religion. Attend the circles of knowledge, and be glad with good news. May your Lord make success easy for you and grant you repentance. Call upon Allah in your prostration, at the end of the night, and at the end of the prayer before the closing salam. Ask your Lord for repentance. Say: “O Allah, accept my repentance. O Allah, rectify my heart and my deeds. O Allah, protect me from the evil of my self and from Satan.” Then respond to the call to repentance. Allah knows best that you should enjoin good. He, the Exalted, says: “You will be the successful ones.” And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The one who repents from a sin is like one who has no sin.” Repentance demolishes what came before it. Be glad if you are sincere, so be glad. Repentance erases your previous sins. Be glad with good news, strive, and hasten to repentance and righteous deeds. You are in a state of great good. Yes.