Repentance from Zina and Other Sins
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Q: Shaytan has led me astray, and I committed the crime of zina. I know that it is a heinous crime, and I want to repent to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). Will Allah accept my repentance? I should mention that I used to say, "I will do it and then repent." Do I have any chance of repentance?
A: The door of repentance remains open until the sun rises from the west. Whoever repents to Allah with sincere repentance from shirk (associating partners with Allah) and what is less than it, Allah will accept his repentance.
Sincere repentance includes ceasing the sins, feeling remorse for what has passed, and making a firm resolve not to return to them, out of fear of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), reverence for Him, and hope for His pardon and forgiveness. As Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) said: [Al-Tahrim: 8]. And He (Glorified and Exalted is He) said: [An-Nur: 31]. And He (the Exalted) said: [Ta-Ha: 82]. And He (Mighty and Majestic) said: [Az-Zumar: 53].
The scholars have agreed that this verse was revealed regarding those who repent. A fourth condition is added to the three conditions mentioned for the validity of repentance when the rights belong to human beings: one must return their rights to them, whether in wealth or otherwise, or seek their forgiveness. This is based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):, recorded by al-Bukhari in his Sahih.
It is obligatory for the Muslim to beware of shirk (associating partners with Allah) and its means, as well as all sins. This is because one may be tested with some of it and then not be granted success in repenting. Therefore, one must beware of everything Allah has forbidden, ask his Lord for well-being regarding it, and not be lenient with Shaytan by committing sins with the intention of repenting from them. There is no doubt that this is deception from Shaytan and embellishment of falling into sins under the claim that one will repent from them. The servant may be punished and prevented from doing so, leading to extreme regret and great remorse when regret no longer benefits.
And Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) said: [Al-Baqarah: 40]. And He (Glorified and Exalted is He) said: [Aal 'Imran: 28]. And He (Mighty and Majestic) said: [Fatir: 5-6]. And there are many verses in this meaning.
A: The door of repentance remains open until the sun rises from the west. Whoever repents to Allah with sincere repentance from shirk (associating partners with Allah) and what is less than it, Allah will accept his repentance.
Sincere repentance includes ceasing the sins, feeling remorse for what has passed, and making a firm resolve not to return to them, out of fear of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), reverence for Him, and hope for His pardon and forgiveness. As Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) said:
O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا تُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ تَوْبَةً نَصُوحًاAnd turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.
وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَBut indeed, I am the Perpetual Forgiver of whoever repents and believes and does righteousness and then continues in guidance.
وَإِنِّي لَغَفَّارٌ لِمَنْ تَابَ وَآمَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا ثُمَّ اهْتَدَىSay, "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful."
قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ لا تَقْنَطُوا مِنْ رَحْمَةِ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُThe scholars have agreed that this verse was revealed regarding those who repent. A fourth condition is added to the three conditions mentioned for the validity of repentance when the rights belong to human beings: one must return their rights to them, whether in wealth or otherwise, or seek their forgiveness. This is based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
Whoever has an injustice against his brother, whether in his honor or in something else, let him seek his forgiveness today before there is no dinar or dirham. If he has good deeds, they will be taken from his good deeds according to the amount of his injustice. If he has no good deeds, the sins of his brother will be taken and placed upon him
من كان عنده لأخيه مظلمة من عرض أو شيء فليتحلله اليوم قبل ألا يكون دينار ولا درهم، إن كان له عمل صالح أخذ من حسناته بقدر مظلمته، فإن لم يكن له حسنات أخذ من سيئات صاحبه فحمل عليهIt is obligatory for the Muslim to beware of shirk (associating partners with Allah) and its means, as well as all sins. This is because one may be tested with some of it and then not be granted success in repenting. Therefore, one must beware of everything Allah has forbidden, ask his Lord for well-being regarding it, and not be lenient with Shaytan by committing sins with the intention of repenting from them. There is no doubt that this is deception from Shaytan and embellishment of falling into sins under the claim that one will repent from them. The servant may be punished and prevented from doing so, leading to extreme regret and great remorse when regret no longer benefits.
And Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) said:
And fear Me alone.
وَإِيَّايَ فَارْهَبُونِAnd Allah warns you of Himself
وَيُحَذِّرُكُمُ اللَّهُ نَفْسَهُO mankind, indeed the promise of Allah is truth, so let not the worldly life delude you and be not deceived about Allah by the Deceiver.
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ وَعْدَ اللَّهِ حَقٌّ فَلا تَغُرَّنَّكُمُ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا وَلا يَغُرَّنَّكُمْ بِاللَّهِ الْغَرُورُ
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.