Will Allah Forgive Sins After True Repentance If One Falls Again?
Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil, Nikāḥ ke Masāʾil, Volume 1, Page 329
❀ Background of the Question
A student had repented from two grave sins:
✿ Masturbation
✿ A sexual-type act with a boy while clothed
He swore before Allah never to commit these sins again. However, later he fell into them once more. Now he is deeply distressed and asks:
✿ Can these sins still be forgiven?
✿ If yes, what is their expiation?
✿ What should he do in the future?
✿ How should he treat the boy through whom he falls into this sin?
✿ Is it permissible to maintain friendship with such a boy?
❀ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
① Acceptance of True Repentance is Established from the Qur’ān
Allah Taʿālā says:
﴿إِنَّمَا ٱلتَّوۡبَةُ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ لِلَّذِينَ يَعۡمَلُونَ ٱلسُّوٓءَ بِجَهَٰلَةٖ﴾
(Sūrah al-Nisāʾ: 17)
Meaning: “Repentance with Allah is only for those who commit evil in ignorance.”
Here, ignorance does not mean lack of knowledge, but that a person did not intend sin with a settled heart; rather, due to overwhelming anger or desire he fell into it, then afterwards he sincerely repented with regret.
② Sincerity is a Condition for Tawbah
If someone repents outwardly to gain people’s trust while harboring corrupt intentions such as harming their wealth, life, or honor, then this repentance is without sincerity and will not be accepted by Allah.
③ In Case of Usurping Rights
If one has wrongfully seized someone’s property or rights, then acceptance of repentance requires:
◈ Returning the wealth,
◈ Or seeking forgiveness and pardon from the wronged person,
◈ Along with asking Allah for forgiveness.
④ What Should Be Done Now?
◈ Turn back to Allah with sincere repentance, deep regret, and firm resolve not to repeat the sin.
◈ If one falls again, do not despair; immediately return to Allah with tawbah once more.
◈ Avoid the causes and avenues of sin — such as ending the friendship with the boy who leads him into these sinful acts.
◈ It is obligatory to cut ties with friends who pull one towards disobedience, no matter how close they may be.
❀ Conclusion
✿ Even if the sin is repeated, the door of true repentance with Allah always remains open.
✿ Conditions of tawbah: regret, abandoning the sin, and firm resolve never to return to it.
✿ If someone’s rights were violated, they must be restored or forgiven.
✿ One must stay away from the causes of sin, especially bad company that becomes a means to it.
ھٰذَا مَا عِندِی، وَاللّٰہُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
