Source: Fatawa Ilmiyyah (Tawdih al-Ahkam)
I am a sinful person and there is hardly any sin that I have not committed. Is there any way for me to repent?
Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.
Allah ﷻ is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful, and Pardons abundantly. No matter how great a sinner a person may be, if he sincerely repents before his death, Allah ﷻ forgives all sins — including shirk.
Allah ﷻ says:
﴿قُل يـٰعِبادِىَ الَّذينَ أَسرَفوا عَلىٰ أَنفُسِهِم لا تَقنَطوا مِن رَحمَةِ اللَّـهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ يَغفِرُ الذُّنوبَ جَميعًا ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الغَفورُ الرَّحيمُ﴾
(Surah Az-Zumar: 53)
"Say: O My servants who have transgressed against their own souls, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful."
❀ This verse invites all sinners — even polytheists and disbelievers — to repentance.
❀ It emphasizes that Allah ﷻ is Most Forgiving and Most Merciful.
❀ Whoever sincerely repents, Allah ﷻ accepts his repentance.
❀ Allah ﷻ turns towards the repentant and forgives all his past sins — regardless of their type, number, or how long ago they were committed.
❀ However, this verse should not be misunderstood to mean forgiveness without repentance, as shirk is not forgiven without sincere repentance.
❀ You must turn to Allah ﷻ in pure and sincere repentance.
❀ Firmly resolve to spend the rest of your life in obedience, worship, and submission to Allah ﷻ.
❀ May Allah ﷻ grant you the ability to repent sincerely and remain steadfast on the path of righteousness. Ameen.
This is what I hold to be correct, and Allah knows best.
Question
I am a sinful person and there is hardly any sin that I have not committed. Is there any way for me to repent?
Answer
Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.
Allah ﷻ is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful, and Pardons abundantly. No matter how great a sinner a person may be, if he sincerely repents before his death, Allah ﷻ forgives all sins — including shirk.
Guidance from the Qur’an
Allah ﷻ says:
﴿قُل يـٰعِبادِىَ الَّذينَ أَسرَفوا عَلىٰ أَنفُسِهِم لا تَقنَطوا مِن رَحمَةِ اللَّـهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ يَغفِرُ الذُّنوبَ جَميعًا ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الغَفورُ الرَّحيمُ﴾
(Surah Az-Zumar: 53)
"Say: O My servants who have transgressed against their own souls, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful."
Meaning of the Verse
❀ This verse invites all sinners — even polytheists and disbelievers — to repentance.
❀ It emphasizes that Allah ﷻ is Most Forgiving and Most Merciful.
❀ Whoever sincerely repents, Allah ﷻ accepts his repentance.
❀ Allah ﷻ turns towards the repentant and forgives all his past sins — regardless of their type, number, or how long ago they were committed.
❀ However, this verse should not be misunderstood to mean forgiveness without repentance, as shirk is not forgiven without sincere repentance.
Practical Advice
❀ You must turn to Allah ﷻ in pure and sincere repentance.
❀ Firmly resolve to spend the rest of your life in obedience, worship, and submission to Allah ﷻ.
❀ May Allah ﷻ grant you the ability to repent sincerely and remain steadfast on the path of righteousness. Ameen.
This is what I hold to be correct, and Allah knows best.
