Finding Forgiveness: A Guide to Repentance (Tawbah) in Islam

A sin is an act committed by a Muslim that is contrary to Allah’s عزّ وجلّ law. It may be a major sin (kaba’ir) or a minor sin (sagha’ir).

Believers must be strict and attentive in order to avoid committing sins. 

Islam firmly prohibits any action that may drive the believer away from the fear of Allah عزّ وجلّ (taqwa) (Quran 7:34).

Repentance (tawbah) is a private feeling of sincere regret for one’s sins and failings in order to come back to obedience to Allah  عزّ وجلّ. Sincere repentance is an act that Allah  عزّ وجلّ greatly values (Quran 2:222). 

Islam is a religion of mercy (Quran 21:107).

Allah عزّ وجلّ is merciful and forgives the sins of any Muslim who sincerely repents, regardless of the number and severity of their sins (Quran 39:53).

Repentance is defined by regret for having committed a sin and by a sincere desire to commit it no longer and then to repair the current and future consequences of one’s past sins.

To come back to Allah عزّ وجلّ, repentance is an essential duty because our sins and errors can lead to us becoming lost and separated from our Creator’s commandments (Quran 24:31 and 39:54).

The Muslim religion classifies sins according to the severity of their consequences for both individuals and society.

A Major Sin (kaba’ir) in Islam

• A major sin (kaba’ir) is a blameworthy act that the Quran or Sunnah warns about, or that comes with a specific punishment either in this life or on the day of judgment to come (Quran 4:31).
• Major sins include, for example, fornication, idol worship, murder, theft, perjury, corruption, defamation, adultery and consumption of alcohol.

A Minor Sin (sagha’ir) in Islam

• A minor sin (sagha’ir) is a blameworthy act that displeases Allah عزّ وجلّ, but is not associated with any punishment mentioned in the Quran or the Sunnah (Muslim, Hadith 233).
• Such sins include slander, insults and jealousy.
• They must not be taken lightly because they will be taken into account on the day of judgment (Quran 43:50).

• The repentant person must be absolutely sincere.
• The repentant person must deeply regret having committed the sinful acts.
• The repentant person must immediately cease committing the sinful acts.
• The repentant person must be determined never to commit the sinful acts again.
• The repentant person must repent before it is too late, in other words, before nearing death (Quran 4:18).

Our sins, regardless of their severity, can be forgiven as long as we sincerely ask for repentance from Allah  عزّ وجلّ (Quran 39:53).

‘’Allah عزّ وجلّ  loves the repentant, and He loves those who keep clean.’’
(Quran 2:222)

Our sins can also be forgiven if we do good works (Quran 11:114)