Tawbah: understanding repentance

What does Al-Nawawi list as the conditions of repentance?

Al-Nawawi, in Riyad al-salihin (Juz 1, the chapter on repentance; printed p. 9 of the Dar al-Rayyan edition, checked on the scan), lists the conditions of repentance (source 3). The table follows his list.

The first three conditions are for a sin that does not involve another person's right. The fourth applies only where it does.

This is one scholar's account, Al-Nawawi's. Other scholars may state these conditions differently, and this page does not set out their views.

The chapter's examples are examples, not a procedure for every case. For a question about money, a person's reputation or privacy, ask a scholar you trust how to clear that right.

What does the Quran say?

Az-Zumar 39:53 addresses those who have been prodigal against themselves, and tells them not to despair of Allah's mercy. Verse 54 calls them to turn to their Lord repentant and to submit to Him, before the doom comes, when you cannot be helped.

Ibn Kathir, in Tafsir al-Quran al-'Azim (commentary on 39:53), explains that the verse's statement that Allah forgives all sins is about those who repent of their sins and turn back from them. He also reads the verse as a call to all sinners, including disbelievers, to repent and turn back to God (source 4).

The verses do not describe a way to know whether a particular person's repentance has been accepted.

What if someone sins again after repenting?

Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, related the following from his Lord. A servant commits a sin and asks forgiveness, and is forgiven. He sins again, asks forgiveness, and is forgiven again.

1AuthenticSahih Muslim 2758a

In one wording, Allah tells the servant that he may do what he wishes, having forgiven him. Al-Nawawi, in his commentary Al-Minhaj sharh Sahih Muslim (source 5), explains those words as meaning that, as long as the servant keeps sinning and then repenting, he is forgiven.

Riyad al-salihin lists a resolve never to return to the sin as one of the three conditions (source 3). The report and the commentary speak of forgiveness for repeated sin followed by repentance. Neither passage quoted here discusses whether a later lapse shows that an earlier repentance was not sincere, and neither gives a verdict on a particular person's intention.

Is there a dua for repentance?

Al-A'raf 7:23 records the words of two speakers who say they have wronged themselves. The verse does not name them. They are the pair addressed in verses 19 to 22, Adam and his wife, so that identification depends on those verses. They acknowledge the wrong and ask for forgiveness and mercy.

Another supplication for seeking forgiveness is Sayyidul istighfar. Shaddad ibn Aws, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated it from the Prophet, and it is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari 6306, graded sahih (authentic) by collection convention. It acknowledges Allah's blessing and one's sin, and the report says that whoever says it with firm conviction and dies before evening that day, or before morning that night, is among the people of Paradise.

2AuthenticSahih al-Bukhari 6306

For its words and meaning, continue with Sayyidul istighfar.

The report does not mention restoring another person's rights. Riyad al-salihin lists clearing that right as a separate condition (source 3).

Questions about tawbah

Is saying a dua the whole of repentance?

The chapter in Riyad al-salihin lists three conditions for a sin that does not involve another person's right: stopping the sin, regret and a resolve never to return to it (source 3). It does not list a supplication among them. Sayyidul istighfar is a supplication for forgiveness (source 2).

Does a later lapse prove that the earlier repentance was false?

The Sahih Muslim report describes a servant who sins, asks forgiveness and does so again, each time being forgiven (source 1). Al-Nawawi's commentary ties that forgiveness to each sin being followed by repentance (source 5). Neither passage quoted here says that a later lapse shows an earlier repentance was insincere, and neither gives a verdict on an individual's intention.

How can I know whether my repentance has been accepted?

The verses on this page invite repentance and express hope in Allah's mercy. They do not describe an observable sign by which a person can know whether their repentance has been accepted. For a particular concern, especially one involving another person's rights, speak with a scholar you trust.