The mercy and compassion of Allah Almighty towards His servants are infinite. Allah Himself has declared that He is indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. One of the means of attaining Allah's mercy and compassion is repentance. The word 'Tawbah' means to return. When the word 'Tawbah' is related to humans, its meaning is to repent and feel ashamed of the wrongdoings committed by the servant; to completely abandon that wrongdoing; to resolve not to commit such wrongdoings in the future. Returning to Allah with such a firm resolve is called repentance.
Regarding the importance of repentance, Allah Almighty says in Surah Hud, verse 90: “And ask forgiveness of your Lord, then turn to Him in repentance. Indeed, my Lord is Most Gracious, Most Merciful.”
Allah Almighty commands the believers to repent in order to achieve success in both worlds and states in verse 31 of Surah An-Nur: “O you who believe! Repent to Allah, all of you, so that you may be successful.” In verse 8 of Surah At-Tahrim: “O you who believe! Repent to Allah with sincere repentance.”
Allah the Almighty has taught – Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves. If You do not forgive us and have mercy on us, we will surely be destroyed. (Surah Al-A'raf: Verse 24); Our Lord, we have believed, so forgive us our sins and save us from the punishment of Hell. (Surah Al-Imran: Verse 16); Our Lord, forgive us our sins and remove our faults and cause us to die with the righteous. (Surah Al-Imran: Verse 193)
Infinite happiness is achieved through repentance. Allah Almighty loves those who repent. He grants them infinite happiness. For example, Allah Almighty says in Surah Hud, verse 3 of the Holy Quran: “And if you ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him, He will make you enjoy the best of things.”
Allah Almighty changes the sins of a repentant servant into good deeds. In this regard, it is stated in the 70th verse of Surah Furqan of the Holy Quran – But those who repent, believe and do righteous deeds, Allah Almighty changes their sins into good deeds. It is narrated in the Hadith Sharif – The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, The repentant servant is like one who has no sins. (Sunan al-Bayhaqi)
In a hadith, Hazrat Ali (RA) was asked by a person about a person who commits a sin and repents; then commits another sin; then repents and commits another sin; then commits another sin and then repents and seeks forgiveness. What will be the condition of such a person? Hazrat Ali (RA) said, his duty is to keep repenting and seeking forgiveness. Because if he keeps repenting and seeking forgiveness, Satan will be defeated. Satan will say, I am unable to keep this person busy with sins. In another hadith, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said, “Keep repenting to your Lord, because I myself repent a hundred times a day.” (Muslim)
The door of repentance will be open for everyone from the west to the east of sunrise. It is narrated in the Hadith Sharif that Allah Ta'ala accepts the repentance of a believer until he hears the sound of death. May Allah the Almighty grant us all the success in sincere repentance and becoming His beloved servants.
