True Repentance Erases Sins – They Are Not Counted Again
Source: Fatāwā Muḥammadiyyah, Vol.1, p.147
The Question
If a person sincerely repents from a sin, but after some time commits the same sin again — does the previous sin return upon him, or will only the new sin be counted?
The Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd:
The sins committed before repentance do not return after repentance. Once a person repents sincerely, those sins are completely erased.
التائب من الذنب كمن لا ذنب له
"The one who repents from a sin is like the one who never committed it."
Since the previous sins no longer exist, there is no question of their coming back.
Explanation by the Scholars
Commentators of Ḥadīth explain:
◈ The meaning of “no sin” is that Allah ﷻ will not hold the repentant accountable for it.
◈ Even beyond this, the sins of the repentant are transformed into good deeds.
As mentioned in Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ (p.206, footnote 10):
"Not only is there no accountability, but the sins of the repentant are converted into good deeds."
Qur’ānic Evidence
Allah ﷻ says:
﴿إِلّا مَن تابَ وَءامَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلًا صـلِحًا فَأُولـئِكَ يُبَدِّلُ اللَّهُ سَيِّـٔاتِهِم حَسَنـتٍ وَكانَ اللَّهُ غَفورًا رَحيمًا﴾
(Sūrat al-Furqān: 70)
"Except for those who repent, believe, and do righteous deeds — for them Allah will change their evil deeds into good deeds. And Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful."
Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr
In Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr (Vol.3, p.327), Imām Ibn Kathīr رحمه الله explains:
◈ Allah erases the sins of the repentant from their records and replaces them with good deeds.
◈ This understanding is supported by authentic Ḥadīth and the opinions of many Companions.
He cites the Ḥadīth of Abū Dharr al-Ghifārī رضي الله عنه from Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim:
"Allah will say to the person of Paradise: For every sin you committed, you are granted a good deed in its place."
Ḥadīth Evidence
Narrated by Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"When a believer commits a sin, a black spot appears on his heart. If he repents and seeks forgiveness, his heart is polished and shines again."
(Reported by Aḥmad, Tirmidhī, Ibn Mājah)
This shows that repentance completely wipes out sins, just as rust is removed from iron when polished.
Summary
◈ After sincere repentance, all past sins are completely erased.
◈ If the person commits the same sin again, it will be counted as a new sin only.
◈ Allah’s mercy and forgiveness for those who repent is vast and boundless.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
