Hadiths of the Prophet on Repentance
Allah -The Most Exalted- states: إِنَّ اللّهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِينَ. There are numerous prophetic traditions addressing the topic of repentance, which is considered a lifelong endeavor and an honor bestowed upon humanity by Allah -The Most Exalted-. These teachings encourage individuals to return to the truth and the straight path. Here, we present several hadiths that relate to the concept of repentance:
Continuous Acceptance of Repentance from Allah
One of the manifestations of Allah’s mercy towards His servants is that He continuously accepts repentance at all times, both day and night. The Prophet -peace be upon him- said: إنَّ اللَّهَ -عَزَّ وَجَلَّ- يَبْسُطُ يَدَهُ باللَّيْلِ لِيَتُوبَ مُسِيءُ النَّهَارِ، وَيَبْسُطُ يَدَهُ بالنَّهَارِ لِيَتُوبَ مُسِيءُ اللَّيْلِ، حتّى تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ مِن مَغْرِبِهَا. Furthermore, Allah -The Exalted- has made repentance accessible to individuals as long as they are alive, with the Prophet -peace be upon him- stating: إنَّ اللَّهَ يَقْبَلُ تَوْبَةَ العَبْدِ مَا لم يُغَرْغِرْ, which refers to the moment when the soul reaches the throat.
Acceptance of Repentance Despite Repeated Sins
Repentance is accepted from individuals even if they persistently commit sins. The act of regularly seeking repentance does not preclude one from returning to Allah -The Most Exalted-. The Prophet -peace be upon him- described this by saying: إنَّ العَبْدَ إذا أخطأَ خطيئةً نُكِتت في قلبِهِ نُكْتةٌ سَوْداءُ، فإذا هوَ نَزَعَ واستَغفَرَ وتابَ سُقِلَ قَلْبُهُ، وإن عادَ زيدَ فيها حتى تعلوَ قَلْبَهُ، وَهوَ الرَّانُ الَّذِي ذَكَرَ اللَّهُ كَلَّا بَلْ رَانَ عَلَى قُلُوبِهِمْ مَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ.
The Prophet’s Encouragement for Repentance Regardless of Sins
The Prophet -peace be upon him- encouraged seeking repentance and not refraining from it due to the multitude of sins one may have. He stated: لو أخطأْتُمْ حتى تَبْلُغَ خطاياكم السَّماءَ، ثُمَّ تُبْتُم لَتابَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمْ. The abundance of sins does not prevent one from repenting to Allah -The Most Exalted-, as there is no sin too great for His ability to forgive and accept the repentance of those who seek it.
The Prophet’s Praise for the Repentant
All of creation sins; however, the best among them are those who turn to Allah -The Most Exalted-, repent, seek forgiveness, and abandon their sins. The Prophet -peace be upon him- remarked: كُلُّ بَنِي آدَمَ خَطَاءٌ وَخَيْرُ الْخَطَّائِينَ التَّوَّابُونَ. The Prophet -peace be upon him- praised those who frequently repent, emphasizing the importance of detesting sin and quickly returning to Allah -The Most Exalted-.
The Prophet’s Call to Repentance and His Example
The Prophet -peace be upon him- advised: يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ تُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ، فَإِنِّي أَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ فِي الْيَوْمِ مِئَةَ مَرَّةٍ. Despite his elevated status and the fact that he was forgiven of his sins, he sought repentance to Allah -The Most Exalted- a hundred times daily.
Acceptance of Repentance Even from Apostates Who Return
A man from the Ansar apostatized but later regretted his actions and sought to repent, sending a message to the Prophet -peace be upon him- asking if he could find forgiveness. Allah -The Exalted- revealed: كَيْفَ يَهْدِي اللّهُ قَوْمًا كَفَرُوا بَعْدَ إِيمَانِهِمْ وَشَهِدُوا أَنَّ الرَّسُولَ حَقٌّ وَجَاءَهُمُ الْبَيِّنَاتُ وَاللّهُ لاَ يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ. This was followed by the verses stating that the only ones who will find alleviation from punishment are those who repent and amend their actions, for Allah is Oft-Forgiving and Most Merciful. The Prophet -peace be upon him- then sent a message to him, and he embraced Islam once again.