Written by: Sheikh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani (may Allah protect him)
Question:
If a young man is misled by a girl and commits adultery, even though he knows that it is forbidden in Islam, but later, feeling remorseful, sincerely repents and vows never to commit such a sin again, will Allah accept his repentance?
Answer:
When a person, misled by Satan, commits a sin but then sincerely turns to Allah and seeks forgiveness, Allah, who is the Most Forgiving, will forgive him. Allah says:
"O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance."
[Surah At-Tahreem, 66:8]
In another place, He says:
"O you who have believed, turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, so that you may be successful."
[Surah An-Nur, 24:31]
A well-known story in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim narrates the tale of a man who killed one hundred people. When he sincerely intended to repent and, upon the advice of a scholar, began his journey towards a righteous village, he died on the way. Eventually, the angels of mercy took his soul.
Similarly, there is a story of a woman who committed adultery. Feeling remorseful, she came to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), confessing her sin and requesting the prescribed punishment. She was ultimately stoned to death, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) led her funeral prayer. Upon witnessing this, Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
"O Messenger of Allah! You are praying over a woman who committed adultery?"
The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied:
"She has repented in such a way that if her repentance were distributed among seventy people of Madinah, it would be sufficient for them."
[Sahih Muslim, Book of Punishments, Chapter: Whoever confesses to Zina (Hadith: 1696)]
In Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, it is mentioned that Allah accepts the repentance of those who sincerely repent. There are three conditions for true and sincere repentance:
Question:
If a young man is misled by a girl and commits adultery, even though he knows that it is forbidden in Islam, but later, feeling remorseful, sincerely repents and vows never to commit such a sin again, will Allah accept his repentance?
Answer:
When a person, misled by Satan, commits a sin but then sincerely turns to Allah and seeks forgiveness, Allah, who is the Most Forgiving, will forgive him. Allah says:
"O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance."
[Surah At-Tahreem, 66:8]
In another place, He says:
"O you who have believed, turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, so that you may be successful."
[Surah An-Nur, 24:31]
A well-known story in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim narrates the tale of a man who killed one hundred people. When he sincerely intended to repent and, upon the advice of a scholar, began his journey towards a righteous village, he died on the way. Eventually, the angels of mercy took his soul.
Similarly, there is a story of a woman who committed adultery. Feeling remorseful, she came to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), confessing her sin and requesting the prescribed punishment. She was ultimately stoned to death, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) led her funeral prayer. Upon witnessing this, Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
"O Messenger of Allah! You are praying over a woman who committed adultery?"
The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied:
"She has repented in such a way that if her repentance were distributed among seventy people of Madinah, it would be sufficient for them."
[Sahih Muslim, Book of Punishments, Chapter: Whoever confesses to Zina (Hadith: 1696)]
In Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, it is mentioned that Allah accepts the repentance of those who sincerely repent. There are three conditions for true and sincere repentance:
- Ceasing the sin immediately.
- Feeling remorse over having committed the sin.
- Resolving firmly not to return to the sin.