I repent and return to the sins, what should I do?
Question: I am a young man, who has committed many evil deeds. I have
attempted a number of times to compel myself to Tawbah (repentance) but I return
to the sins. I have friends from my neighborhood who are not righteous. Please
guide me to the way, which will bring me closer to Allah and distance me from
sinful actions.
Answer by Shaikh Abdul Aziz ibn Baz (rahimahullah), 'Allah says, Say, 'O
Ibadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil
deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah. Verily, Allah forgives all
sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.' [Soorah az-Zumar (39): 53] The
scholars have a consensus that this verse was revealed concerning those who make
Tawbah (repent). So, he who makes Tawbah an-Nasoohah (the sincere repentance),
Allah forgives all his sins for, Allah says in the Qur'aan, 'O you who believe!
Turn to Allah with sincere repentance! It may be that your Lord will remit from
you your sins, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise)…'
[Soorah at-Tahrim (66): 8] So, Allah has combined forgiveness of sins and
entering into Paradise with Tawbah an-Nasoohah in this verse. It (Tawbah an-Nasoohah)
consists of abandoning the sins and guarding one's self against it and regret
over what has passed, and true resolution not to return to it as an honor and
respect for Allah, hope in His rewards and safeguarding one's self from His
punishment.
From the prerequisites of Tawbah an-Nasoohah is to return the rights of those
who have been wronged whether in blood, wealth or honor. If it is not feasible
to give back the brother his honor, then one should make a lot of Dua for him
and mention his good deeds that he knows of, in gatherings where he has
slandered/maligned him. Good deeds cancel out the bad deeds and Allah says, 'And
all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be
successful.' Allah has adjoined success with Tawbah, which indicates that those
who repent are the successful people. Moreover, if the one who repents follows
his Tawbah with Eeman and good deeds, Allah will erase his bad deeds and replace
them with good deeds as Allah says in Soorah Furqan when He mentioned Shirk,
killing without right and adultery, 'And those who invoke not any other ilah
(god) along with Allah, nor kill such life as Allah has forbidden, except for
just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse and whoever does this shall
receive the punishment. The torment will be doubled to him on the Day of
Resurrection, and he will abide therein in disgrace; except, those who repent
and believe (in Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds, for those, Allah
will change their sins into good deeds, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most
Merciful.' [Soorah Furqan (25): 68-70]
What inspires and prompts one to make Tawbah is invoking Allah and asking him
for guidance that he may confer upon you the blessing of making Tawbah. 'And
your Lord said, 'Invoke Me, I will respond to your (invocation).' [Soorah Ghafir
(40): 60] and He also says, 'And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad) concerning
Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to
the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or
intercessor).' [Soorah al-Baqarah (2): 186]
Also, what motivates one to make Tawbah and keep steadfast on it is the company
of good people and assisting one another in performing good deeds and distancing
oneself from bad company. Allah's Messenger r said, 'Man is on the religion of
his companion, so let one of you chose whom to befriends.' [At-Tirmidhee] The
Messenger of Allah r also said, 'Verily, the example of a good companion in
comparison to an evil one is like that of the musk seller and the blacksmith's
bellow. From the first you would either get a gift of his musk's scent, buy some
from him, or enjoy its good smell, while the bellow will either burn your
clothes, or give you a bad, nasty smell thereof.' [Agreed upon] [Majmoo Fatawa
wa-Maqalat Mutanawwi'a (part 6, p.252). Arabic fatawa published at,
www.binbaz.org.sa]
Translated by Shawana A. Aziz
