Humans normally make mistakes and sins but when we repent to Allah he forgives us, so here we will learn what is Tawbah, its conditions, and much more, so keep reading.
Let’s understand the concept of Tawbah and forgiveness, and how to repent to Allah.
What is the meaning of Tawbah in Islam?
What is the meaning of Tawbah in Islam? Tawbah is the act of asking Allah for forgiveness, repenting for a sin we made, and telling Allah that we are not going to repeat that mistake again. Tawbah is the way to coming closer to Allah, walking on the right path, and staying away from doing any sin. It is the first step of discipline and our key to walking in the right way that gets us closer to Allah.
Tawbah is what we should all do and understand, Allah created us for a purpose and that’s what we should focus on. And not to let life distract us from our real goals. It might be hard at the beginning to stay away from making mistakes and sins but with time it will become easier.
Seeking forgiveness is what we should do, Allah’s prophet used to seek Allah’s forgiveness 70 times each day.
Abu Hurairah said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, “I swear by Allah that I seek Allah’s Pardon and turn to Him in repentance more than seventy times a day.”
What are the conditions of Tawbah?
When understanding or realizing that what you’re doing is wrong you should turn to Allah and ask for forgiveness. That’s the purpose of Tawbah prayer, so let’s learn what are the rules of tawbah?
4 steps of Tawbah:
Here are the 4 stages of repentance in Islam/4 conditions of Tawbah (conditions of repentance islamqa):
- Regretting what you did wrong and any sin you did.
- Stop doing the sin and stay away from anything that will lead you to do it again. There is no meaning in abandoning the sin one day and then going back to it again and keep doing it over and over again like you haven’t learned your lesson. Otherwise, there is no meaning to your Tawbah. But that doesn’t mean to give up on Tawbah because you can’t stop doing the sin. Keep asking for Allah’s forgiveness and ask for strength to resist going back to the mistakes you have done.
- Promise to not commit sin ever again. Asking Allah for forgiveness means that we truly mean to stop committing sin. So you have to stop doing it and be sincere about your promise. And try your best not to go back to it again. However, al Tawbah doesn’t mean that you will not feel weak sometimes or that you won’t go back to the sin again. It means that you will try your best not to return to it again. So, don’t get disappointed if you return to the sin again, just make sure to stop yourself and don’t lose hope.
- when committing a sin against humans like stealing or anything you could think of adds more conditions. For example, if you stole something then you should give it back to its owner and apologize to him. If you have taken someone else’s rights or their property, then you should return it to them. The aim of repentance is not to cause more harm, it is to rectify the situation. Putting right into what we have done is one of the greatest acts of goodness that we could do. However, it should not be at the expense of causing more harm.
Why do we repent to Allah?
We repent to Allah so he forgives all our mistakes and sin, to come closer to Allah and do what is right.
How do I repent my Tawbah?
How do I ask repentance from Allah? There is a simple way that you could follow as the prophet told us, which is praying 2 Rakat Nafal Prayer (the optional prayer). Then ask Allah for forgiveness in Dua. The condition of Tawbah prayer is to be in the state of Wudu and that you are remorseful about transgressing the bounds of Allah.
For short here are the conditions of salat al Tawbah:
- Be in the state of Wudu.
- pray 2 Rakat.
- Ask Allah to forgive you for the sin you did.
Pray these two Rakat as you pray the other Sunnah prayers. Recite any surah you know by heart after reciting al Fatiha. Here are the suggested Surahs that you can read:
How do you pray Salatul Tawbah?
How do you perform the Tawbah prayer?
First Tawbah prayer Raka:
In the first rak’ah, recite surah Al-Fatihah and followed by surah Al-Ikhlas or other surahs as you like:
“Qul huwallahu ahad. Allahus-samad. Lam yalid wa lam Yuulad. Wa lam Yakul Lahuu Kufuwan Ahad.”
Meaning:
Say, “He is Allah, [who is] One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, Nor is there to Him any equivalent.”
Second Rakats:
In the second rak’ah, recite surah Al-Fatihah and followed by surah Al-Nas or other surahs as you like:
“Qul a’uzu birabbin-nas. Malikin-nas. Ilahin-nas. Min syarril-waswasil-khannas. Allazii Yuwaswisu fi Sudurin-nas. Minal jinnati wan-nas.”
Meaning:
Say, “I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind, The Sovereign of mankind. The Allah of mankind, From the evil of the retreating whisperer – Who whispers [evil] into the breasts of mankind -From among the jinn and mankind.”
During the final sujood (before getting up for attahiyat), say the following 40 times: “Laa ilaaha illa Anta subhanaka Inni Kuntu Minazzolimin”
Meaning:
There is no Allah but You, O Allah! Glory be to You! I am of those who do wrong.
How to repent in Islam for major sins?
How to repent sincerely to Allah? And How do Muslims make Tawbah? You could pray Salatul Tawbah or say the following Tawbah dua.
“Allahumma inni Zholamtu Nafsi Zull-man Kasiran Walaa Yagh-firu Zunuuba illa Anta, Fagh-firli Min indika Magfirotan innaka Antal Rgho-fuu Rur-rahim.”
Meaning:
O Allah, indeed I have wronged myself with great injustice. And no one can forgive my sins except you. So, forgive me with great forgiveness from your side. You are indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
How to repent to Allah?
By doing the following:
- Regretting what you did wrong and any sin you did.
- Stop doing the sin and stay away from anything that will lead you to do it again. There is no meaning in abandoning the sin one day and then going back to it again and keep doing it over and over again like you haven’t learned your lesson. Otherwise, there is no meaning to your Tawbah. But that doesn’t mean to give up on Tawbah because you can’t stop doing the sin. Keep asking for Allah’s forgiveness and ask for strength to resist going back to the mistakes you have done.
When to pray salat Tawbah?
You can pray Tawbah at any time except the forbidden time. But it is better to pray it after midnight, during Qiamullai. The best is when you feel guilty and want to speak to Allah and ask for forgiveness. when you must pray immediately, don’t wait until after midnight.
Will Allah accept my Tawbah?
Yes, Allah will accept your Tawbah, and here is a hadith on repentance:
Tawbah hadith:
Prophet Muhammed (peace and blessing be upon him) said: “He who repents for his sin is like one who has no sin.”
Prophet Muhammed has said: “Every son of Adam sins and the best of those who sin are those who repent.”
What Allah says about repentance?
Here is some verse from the holy Quran about Tawbah:
قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِن رَّحْمَةِ اللَّـهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ ﴿53﴾
Say [that Allah declares,] ‘O My servants who have committed excesses against their own souls, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed Allah will forgive all sins. Indeed, He is the All-forgiving, the All-merciful.
وَأَنِيبُوا إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمْ وَأَسْلِمُوا لَهُ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ الْعَذَابُ ثُمَّ لَا تُنصَرُونَ ﴿54﴾
Turn penitently to Him and submit to Him before the punishment overtakes you, whereupon you will not be helped.
إِلَّا مَن تَابَ وَآمَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا فَأُولَـٰئِكَ يُبَدِّلُ اللَّـهُ سَيِّئَاتِهِمْ حَسَنَاتٍ ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّـهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا
Except those who repent, attain faith, and act righteously. For such, Allah will replace their misdeeds with good deeds, and Allah is all-forgiving, all-merciful.
وَمَن تَابَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَإِنَّهُ يَتُوبُ إِلَى اللَّـهِ مَتَابًا ﴿71﴾
And whoever repents and acts righteously indeed turns to Allah with due penitence).
وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّـهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ ﴿31﴾
Rally to Allah in repentance, O faithful, so that you may be felicitous.
What are the benefits of Tawbah?
- Tawbah brings us closer to Allah: Allah says in the Holy Quran:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِينَ وَيُحِبُّ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ
Truly, Allah loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves.
- Tawbah makes us succeed in our lives:
وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
And all of you beg Allah to forgive you, O believers, that you may be successful. (24:31)
- Allah will forgive us for all the sins we made:
وَهُوَ الَّذِي يَقْبَلُ التَّوْبَةَ عَنْ عِبَادِهِ وَيَعْفُو عَنِ السَّيِّئَاتِ
And He is Who accepts repentance from His slaves, and pardons sins. (42:25)
Also, Allah says in the Holy Quran:
وَمَن تَابَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَإِنَّهُ يَتُوبُ إِلَى اللَّهِ مَتَابًا
And whosoever repents and does righteous good deeds; then verily, he repents towards Allah with true repentance. (25:71)
- Award us with Allah’s forgiveness and mercy:
وَالَّذِينَ عَمِلُوا السَّيِّئَاتِ ثُمَّ تَابُوا مِن بَعْدِهَا وَآمَنُوا إِنَّ رَبَّكَ مِن بَعْدِهَا لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
But those who committed evil deeds and then repented afterward and believed, verily, your Lord after (all) that is indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (7:153)
What is sin?
A sin is something that is forbidden or prohibited in Islam, and what Allah and the prophet forbade us from doing. When committing a sin, you will be punished for doing it whether in this world or in the afterlife.
Insisting on doing the same sin again and again will turn it into a habit, and with time you won’t be able to break it and stop from doing it. Therefore, a person should repent and make Tawbah whenever he does something bad like lying.
Even though some people keep lying or gossiping all the time as if it is something normal to do but they aren’t. they are both sins and the one who commits them will be punished. There is no such thing as a small sin, it may seem small to you but to Allah, it isn’t, and it may turn out to be a big sin with time.
Allah s.w.t. says in the Quran:
وَتَحْسَبُونَهُۥ هَيِّنًا وَهُوَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ عَظِيمٌۭ
“Taking it lightly while it is (extremely) serious in the sight of Allah” (Surah An-Nur, 24:15)
Tawbah in Islam
Tawbah in Islam is an act of asking Allah for forgiveness for any sin or bad thing that we commit, no matter how big or small. As Muslims we should seek to repent from any sin, we make such as lying, and gossiping. Even though they seem like small sins gossiping and spreading rumors may destroy someone’s life.
Tawbah in Islam is the first step to walking on the right path and being guided, it is the way of coming closer to Allah and staying away from committing what is forbidden.
Allah s.w.t. says in the Quran:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا تُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ تَوْبَةً نَّصُوحًا
“O you who have faith, repent to Allah with sincere repentance.” (Surah At-Tahrim, 66:8)
Imam Al-Qurtubi comments on this verse, saying:
أَمْرٌ بِالتَّوْبَةِ وَهِيَ فَرْضٌ عَلَى الْأَعْيَانِ فِي كُلِّ الْأَحْوَالِ وَكُلِّ الْأَزْمَانِ
“The command to repent is an obligation upon all individuals in every circumstance and every time”
Our beloved prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to seek forgiveness and repent to Allah 70 times a day. As Abu Hurairah r.a. said:
سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول “والله إني لأستغفر الله وأتوب إليه في اليوم أكثر من سبعين مرة
I heard Rasulullah s.a.w. say, “I swear by Allah that I seek Allah’s Pardon and turn to Him in repentance more than seventy times a day.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari)
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Allah, the Exalted, has said: ‘I have prepared for my righteous slaves what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and the mind of no man has conceived.’ If you wish, recite: ‘No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do.”‘ Surah Al-Sajda (32:17) [Al-Bukhari and Muslim, Hadith 1881].
Allah says in Surah Al-Furqan:
إِلَّا مَن تَابَ وَءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلًۭا صَـٰلِحًۭا فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يُبَدِّلُ ٱللَّهُ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِمْ حَسَنَـٰتٍۢ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًۭا رَّحِيمًۭا
“As for those who repent, believe, and do good deeds, they are the ones whose evil deeds Allah will change into good deeds. For Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Surah Al-Furqan, 25:70)
Tawbah and repentance in Islam is an act that brings us closer to Allah and helps us stay on the right path no matter how sins seem tempting. I know that trying to let go of something that we are used to doing is hard but we are doing it to come closer to Allah and if we ask for his help, he will surely help us.
Importance of Repentance in Islam.
What is the importance of Tawbah in Islam? we repent from any sin we commit and any bad deed we do to come closer to Allah and stay on the right path. It is never too late to repent from your mistakes, always ask Allah for forgiveness, and don’t lose hope.
Allah s.w.t. says in the Holy Quran:
وَتُوبُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
“And turn to Allah altogether, O believers! So that you may succeed” (Surah An-Nur: 24:31)
We repent because we seek to gain Allah’s love and forgiveness, that is one thing that makes Tawbah important in Islam. Allah loves the person who seeks forgiveness and repents for any mistakes. Allah forgives the person who repents sincerely even if the person committed a major sin and repented sincerely Allah will forgive him.
Allah said in the Holy Quran:
إِنَّ اللّهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِينَ وَيُحِبُّ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ
“Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:222)
When someone commits a sin he feels a strong feeling of guilt, he wishes he could undo what he did, and guilt starts to slowly eat his happiness. Turning a blind eye won’t help, the only way to forgive yourself is Tawbah, repenting from any mistakes and seeking Allah’s forgiveness heals the heart and fills it with happiness. And that is what we all search for, a way to come closer to Allah.
Qur’anic Verses about the Importance of Repentance in Islam.
Whatever sin a person commits or any mistake he should repent and seek forgiveness. Doing something forbidden even if small is a sin, therefore Tawbah in Islam is important because it is the way of seeking Allah’s forgiveness and avoiding doing any bad thing.
Allah says in the Holy Quran:
“Turn to Allah in repentance all together, O believers, so that you may be successful.” [surah Al-Noor, verse 31]
“O ye who believe! Turn to God with sincere repentance, in the hope that your Lord will remove from you your ills and admit you to Gardens beneath which Rivers flow.” [Sura Al-Tahrim, verse 8]
“Surely God loves those who turn much (to Him), and He loves those who purify themselves.” [Sura Al-Baqara, verse 222]
“God accepts the repentance of those who do evil in ignorance and repent soon afterward; to them will God turn in mercy: For God is full of knowledge and wisdom. Of no effect is the repentance of those who continue to do evil, until death faces one of them, and he says, “Now have I repented indeed;” nor of those who die rejecting Faith: for them have We prepared a punishment most grievous.” [Sura An-Nisa, verse 17–18]
The Quran tells us to repent, turn to Allah, and seek his forgiveness and mercy.
“The Penalty on the Day of Judgment will be doubled to him (disbeliever), and he will dwell therein in ignominy, unless he repents, believes, and works righteous deeds, for God will change the evil of such persons into good, and God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. And whoever repents and does good has truly turned to God with an (acceptable) conversion.” [Sura Al-Furqan, verse 69–71]
When should you offer Salat al-Tawbah in Islam?
Salat Al Tawbah in Islam is a way of seeking Allah’s forgiveness. Whenever a person seeks to repent from his sins and turn to Allah he can pray for forgiveness. Whether the repentance comes right after committing the sin or later on the person should hasten to repent and Allah will forgive him.
When is the best time to offer Salat al-Tawbah in Islam? you can offer salat al Tawbah at any time even at the times when it is forbidden to pray.
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Allah will accept the repentance of His slave so long as the death rattle has not yet begun.” (Classed as good by al-Albani in Sahih al-Tirmidhi, 3537)
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever repents before the sun rises from the west, Allah will accept his repentance.” (Narrated by Muslim, 2703)
Can you offer Salat al-Tawbah after the Asr prayer?
Yes, you can offer Salat al-Tawbah after the Asr prayer. Tawbah prayer is allowed at any time because the person is offering it for a reason, so even at the times that prayer is not allowed like after the Asr prayer a person can pray the Repentance prayer.
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said:
“Prayers which are done for a reason, such as the prostration of recitation, greeting the mosque, the eclipse prayer, prayer immediately after purifying oneself, as mentioned in the hadith of Bilal, and Istikharah prayer should not be delayed if the reason comes up at a time when prayer is disallowed, because delaying them may cause one to miss them, such as if the one who is praying Istikharah may miss the thing concerning which he is seeking guidance if he delays the prayer. The same applies to the prayer of repentance. If a person commits a sin, then it is obligatory to repent straight away, and it is recommended for him to pray two rak`ahs, then repent, as it says in the hadith of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq.” (Majmu’ al-Fatawa, 23/215)
Why pray Salat al-Tawbah?
Tawbah in Islam is a way to seek Allah’s forgiveness for any sin a person has committed. We pray the prayer of repentance as Muslims when we do something bad or when doing something that is forbidden to ask Allah for forgiveness and repent from our sins and mistakes whether major or minor sins. When committing a sin a person should offer the two Rakat of Tawbah, then stay away from committing the same sin again, trying to do only good deeds. Salat al-Tawbah is a righteous deed that a person performs to come closer to Allah and ask for his forgiveness.
Abu Dawud narrated that Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say: “There is no one who commits a sin then purifies himself well and stands and prays two Rakahs, then asks Allah for forgiveness, but Allah will forgive him. Then he recited this verse: ‘And those who, when they have committed Fahishah or wronged themselves with evil, remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their sins; and none can forgive sins but Allah — and do not persist in what (wrong) they have done, while they know’ [Al ‘Imran 3:135].” (Classed as authentic by al-Albani in Sahih Abi Dawud.)
Whenever you commit a bad deed be sure to Always follow up with a good deed and pray the Tawbah prayer. Allah says in the Holy Quran:
“And verily, I am indeed forgiving to him who repents, believes (in My Oneness, and associates none in worship with Me) and does righteous good deeds, and then remains constant in doing them (till his death).” [Ta-Ha 20:82]
For instance, when a person commits a sin, he can give charity as a way of making up for the bad thing he did. Because charity is one of the good deeds a person can do. Allah says in the Quran:
“If you disclose your Sadaqat (almsgiving), it is good; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, that is better for you. (Allah) will expiate you some of your sins.” [al-Baqarah:271]
Ka’b ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “When Allah accepted his repentance: O Messenger of Allah, as part of my repentance I shall give up my wealth as charity for Allah and His Messenger. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Keep some of your wealth, for it is better for you.” He said: Then I shall keep my share in Khaybar.” (Agreed upon)
Ahmad narrated that Abu’l-Darda (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say: “The one who does wudu and does it well, then stands and prays two Rakahs or four (one of the narrators was uncertain), in which he remembers Allah and focuses well, then asks Allah for forgiveness, He will forgive him.”
Why is it important to ask Allah for forgiveness?
Asking for forgiveness is really important, as the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) said: “O people! Ask for the forgiveness of Allah and repent to Him as I ask for the forgiveness of Allah and repent to Him one hundred times a day.”
When we ask Allah for forgiveness, we should have the intention of not going back to committing that sin ever again. There are many benefits that show the importance of asking Allah for forgiveness, and here are some of them:
- Forgiveness makes us feel inner peace.
- Allah will forgive our sins.
Allah says in the Holy Quran: “Seek forgiveness of your Lord and repent to Him, (and) He will let you enjoy a good provision.” (11: 3)
Why is Surah Tawbah revealed?
It was revealed in the Madinah during the battle of Tabuk that happened in 9AH, 630AD. Here are the main three topics of surah al Tawbah:
The first part (from verses 1 to 37), was revealed in Zil-Qa`adah A.H. about the Hajj. The Holy Prophet sent Hadrat Ali to observe Hadrat Abu Bakr, who had already left for Makkah as chief of the Pilgrims to the Kaabah.
The 2nd part (38-72) was revealed in Rajab A.H. While the Holy Prophet became engaged in making arrangements for Tabuk. In this discourse, the Believers had been entreated to take lively component in jihad, and the shirkers had been significantly rebuked for their hesitation to sacrifice their lives withinside the manner of Allah due to their hypocrisy, vulnerable religion or negligence.
The third part (73-I 29) warns the hypocrites about what they did.
