THE CONCEPT OF TEWBAH IN ISLAM

Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim Alhamdulillahi rabbil-‘alamin was-Salatu was-Salam ‘ala Sayyidil-Mursalin wa ‘ala ‘Alihi wa Sahbihi Ajma’in. As Salamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh!

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Q1: How should we act as a Muslim when we do something that we should not do according to our religion? How should we ask forgiveness from Allah (s.w.t)?

It is well explained and indicated in Holy Qur’an that doing bad deeds according to Islam is natural for humankind, namely we are not perfect at all. Allah says in the Holy Qur’an in Surah Al-Asr (103:2) “Indeed, mankind is in loss”. It can be clearly understood that humankind is prone to make mistake, by default. However, the most significant thing is to feel shame about it, this indicates our Iman. Therefore, only thing we can do is repenting Allah (s.w.t.) and make istighfar. Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) once said, “The one who repents from sin is like one who did not sin.” In addition, there is also famous Arab saying, it says, “Bad deeds might make people enter Jannah by making them regretful and repent Allah (s.w.t.). While, good deeds might make people enter Jahannam by making them so proud about what they have done and getting fat away to Allah (s.w.t.)”.

It can also be added that the existence of the concept of “Tawbah” (there is even a Surah named after it), it is a vital concept in Islam. Qur’an is here to warn and guide people on Earth, so we must take our lessons from it and in this case, we must make istighfar for our every sins (major or minor). Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) said, “Seek forgiveness 70 times a day”.

What about how to return back from that bad deed, for that we (Passengers) have put forward the steps like the following;

· Regret what you have done,

· Feel shame and immediately stop,

· Promise yourself not doing it again,

· Ask forgiveness,

· Follow these steps with hasanat.

It is important to follow these steps with khair and hasanat. Allah (s.w.t.) says in Surah Al-Hud (11:114) “Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds. That is a reminder for those who remember.”

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Q2: A person can repeat some mistakes throughout his life. What should our basic approach be for mistakes that are repeated despite asking for forgiveness before?

It is given as a repentance step in the first question that “Promise yourself not doing it again.” Yet, these can be repeated, unfortunately. In this case, we should check our intention. If our intention is not turning back again that sin -even though already turned back again that sin- we should keep going with that intention, immediately stop and turn to Allah (s.w.t.) once you have that shame again. Allah (s.w.t.) says in Surah Al-Araf (7:201), “The ones who perform their duty bear it in mind whenever some impulse from Satan bothers them, and so they are granted insight.”

However, in the case of repeating that sin repeatedly; we must increase our Iman, since this repetition directly related to weakness of our Iman. First thing to change and beautify is “Salah”. We must firstly change our Salah and try to beautify it in terms of recitation. Since Salah is the base of Iman. The other approach might be trying to figure out why and when these sins are happening, so that at those times we can be with our friends/family our in Masjid. Since those places are safe places for us.

On the other hand, direct relief/heal should not be expected, as repeating this sin is a process, relieving/healing this sin is also a well-structured process. As mentioned in the first question, Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) said, “Seek forgiveness 70 times a day”.

We will sum up this question with one ayah and one hadith as the following;

• Allah says in Surah Al-Yusuf (12:87) “O my sons! Go and search ˹diligently˺ for Joseph and his brother. And do not lose hope in the mercy of Allah, for no one loses hope in Allah’s mercy except those with no faith.”
  

• Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) said, “Verily, Allah accepts the repentance of his servants, as long as they are not on their death bed.”
  

Therefore, whatever the situation is we must not stop performing our Tawbah, since Allah’s mercy can cover any of our sins except for shirk.