The Essence of Repentance

“Allah has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds [that] for them there is forgiveness and great reward.”

[Surah Al Maidah: Verse 9]

That’s the promise of The One Who never fails to fulfill His word. 

There are three types of people in this world 

1. They sin and never understand the significance of their sins. Such people have their hearts sealed and they dive so deep into the oceans of their sins that they are deluded by Iblees to understand that they are sinning. 
2. They sin and regret. Their sins look so great to them that they fail to realise the greatness of Allash’s Mercy which is greater than His wrath! Here also, Iblees wins the game by not allowing them to repent. 
3. They sin, regret and repent. Their repentance is devoid of the essence of humility. They repent, but their repentance is only to beautify their lives and not to seek His forgiveness in true sense.  They become so short sighted that they do not see beyond this Duniya, in fact, they do not look beyond their Duniya. Iblees blinds them and makes them believe that they sinned and repented and so Allaah has forgiven them. 

What is true repentance? Repentance is not rectifying your mindset. Repentance is cleansing your soul and seeking His Pleasure. Repentance doesn’t bring an end to your worries. Repentance makes you worry endlessly. Repentance reminds you of Allaah continuously. Repentance reminds you of the temporary status of this colorful world. Repentance reminds you of death. It reminds you of the dark grave. Repentance teaches you to strive for Jannah.  

All of us sin. Sinning is man’s nature. But, forgiveness is the attribute of Al Ghaffar, Al Afuwwu. He loves to forgive. But His forgiveness is promised only to the sincere of His slaves - those who walk the right path to repentance. Those who are righteous in word and deed. 

~UmmHashiR