Chapter 3
Repentance
46683: Acceptance of repentance
Question:
I have committed a great sin and I prayed to Allaah
and asked Him to forgive me. Will my repentance from
that sin be accepted? I feel that my repentance has not
been accepted and that Allaah is angry with me. Are there
any indications that repentance has been accepted?.
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly: Making mistakes and falling short are
undoubtedly part of human nature and no one will be free
of shortcomings in his obedience to Allaah, or free
of mistakes or forgetfulness or sins. All of us fall
short, commit sins, and make mistakes. Sometimes we turn
to Allaah and sometimes we turn away from Him. Sometimes we remember that Allaah is watching
and sometimes we become negligent. None of us is free
of sin, and we will inevitably make mistakes. We are
not infallible. Hence the Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him) said: "By the One in Whose hand
is my soul, if you did not commit sin Allaah would do
away with you and bring people who would commit sin
then pray for forgiveness." Narrated by Muslim, 2749. And
he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
"Every son of Adam sins, and the best of those who sin are
those who repent." Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2499; classed
as hasan by al-Albaani.
By His mercy towards weak man, Allaah has opened
the gate of repentance to him, and has commanded him
to turn to Him, every time sin overwhelms him. Were it
not for that, man would suffer a great deal of hardship
and would not have the drive to draw closer to his Lord;
he would lose all hope of His forgiveness and
pardon. Repentance is something that is necessary as a result
of man's shortcomings and human failings.
Allaah has enjoined repentance on all kinds of people
in this ummah: those who are foremost in good deeds,
those who follow a middle course, and those who wrong
their own selves by doing haraam things (cf. Faatir 35:32).
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And all of you beg Allaah to forgive you all, O
believers, that you may be successful"
[al-Noor 24:31]
"O you who believe! Turn to Allaah with
sincere repentance!"
[al-Tahreem 66:8]
And the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him) said: "O people, repent to
Allaah and seek His forgiveness, for I repent one hundred
times a day." Narrated by Muslim, 2702 from the hadeeth of
al-Agharr al-Muzani (may Allaah be pleased with him).
Allaah has bestowed His mercy and encompassed
His slaves with his kindness. He is Forbearing and does
not punish us or destroy us straightaway, rather He gives
us respite, and He commanded His Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to proclaim
His generosity:
"Say: O `Ibaadi (My slaves) who have
transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and
sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allaah, verily, Allaah
forgives all sins. Truly, He is OftForgiving, Most Merciful"
[al-Zumar 39:53 _ interpretation of the
meaning].
And He says, out of kindness towards His slaves (interpretation of the meaning):
"Will they not turn with repentance to Allaah and
ask His forgiveness? For Allaah is OftForgiving,
Most Merciful"
[al-Maa'idah 5:74]
"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]
"And those who, when they have committed
Faahishah (illegal sexual intercourse) or wronged themselves
with evil, remember Allaah and ask forgiveness for their
sins; — and none can forgive sins but Allaah — and do
not persist in what (wrong) they have done, while they know"
[Aal `Imraan 3:135]
"And whoever does evil or wrongs himself but
afterwards seeks Allaah's forgiveness, he will find
Allaah OftForgiving, Most Merciful"
[al-Nisa' 4:110]
Allaah calls to repentance those who committed
the gravest form of shirk and sin, those who say that
`Eesa (peace be upon him) is the son of God _ exalted be
Allaah far above what the wrongdoers say. Allaah
says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Will they not turn with repentance to Allaah and
ask His forgiveness? For Allaah is OftForgiving,
Most Merciful"
[al-Maa'idah 5:74]
And He opens the door of repentance to the
hypocrites, who are worse than the kuffaar who openly show
their kufr. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Verily, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depth
(grade) of the Fire; no helper will you find for them.
146. Except those who repent (from hypocrisy),
do righteous good deeds, hold fast to Allaah, and purify
their religion for Allaah (by worshipping none but Allaah,
and do good for Allaah's sake only, not to show off), then
they will be with the believers. And Allaah will grant
the believers a great reward"
[al-Nisa' 4:145-146]
One of the attributes of the Lord is that He
accepts repentance and rejoices over it by His grace. Allaah
says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And He it is Who accepts repentance from His
slaves, and forgives sins, and He knows what you do"
[al-Shoora 42:25]
"Know they not that Allaah accepts repentance from
His slaves and takes the Sadaqaat (alms, charity), and
that Allaah Alone is the One Who forgives and
accepts repentance, Most Merciful?"
[al-Tawbah 9:104]
It was narrated that Abu Hamzah Anas ibn Maalik
al-Ansaari (may Allaah be pleased with him), the servant
of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him), said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Allaah
rejoices more over the repentance of His slave than any one
of you who finds his camel after having lost it in a
desolate land." Agreed upon.
According to a report narrated by Muslim (2747):
"Allaah rejoices more over the repentance of His slave than
any one of you if he is on his camel in a desolate land, then
it runs away from him and on it is his food and drink,
and he despairs of finding it, so he goes to a tree and
lies down in its shade, having despaired of finding his
camel, then while he is like that, it suddenly appears in front
of him and he takes hold of its reins and says, because of
his intense joy, `O Allaah, You are my slave and I am
your lord,' making this mistake because of the intensity of
his joy."
It was narrated from Abu Moosa `Abd-Allaah ibn
Qays al-Ash'ari (may Allaah be pleased with him) that
the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: "Allaah spreads out His hand at night to accept
the repentance of the one who sinned during the day, and
He spreads out His hand by day to accept the repentance
of the one who sinned during the night, (and that
will continue) until the sun rises from the west." Narrated
by Muslim, 2759.
It was narrated from Abu `Abd al-Rahmaan
`Abd-Allaah ibn `Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allaah be pleased
with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him) said: "Allaah will accept the repentance of
His slave so long as the death-rattle has not yet reached
his throat." Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 3537; classed as
hasan by al-Albaani.
Secondly: The blessings of repentance come in this
world and in the Hereafter, some are visible and some are
hidden. The rewards of repentance are: purity of heart, erasing
of sins and increasing of hasanaat (good deeds). Allaah
says (interpretation of the meaning):
"O you who believe! Turn to Allaah with
sincere repentance! It may be that your Lord will expiate
from you your sins, and admit you into Gardens under
which rivers flow (Paradise) the Day that Allaah will
not disgrace the Prophet (Muhammad) and those who
believe with him. Their Light will run forward before them
and (with their Records Books of deeds) in their right
hands. They will say: `Our Lord! Keep perfect our Light for
us [and do not put it off till we cross over the Siraat
(a slippery bridge over the Hell) safely] and grant
us forgiveness. Verily, You are Able to do all things'"
[al-Tahreem 66:8]
The reward of repentance is a good life in the shade
of faith, contentment, peace of mind and tranquility.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Seek the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him
in repentance, that He may grant you good enjoyment, for
a term appointed, and bestow His abounding Grace to
every owner of grace (i.e. the one who helps and serves
the needy and deserving, physically and with his wealth,
and even with good words)"
[Hood 11:3]
The reward of repentance is blessings coming down
from heaven, blessings coming from the earth, an increase
in one's wealth and offspring, blessings in productivity,
good physical health and protection from diseases. Allaah
says of Hood (peace be upon him) (interpretation of
the meaning):
"And O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord
and then repent to Him, He will send you (from the
sky) abundant rain, and add strength to your strength, so
do not turn away as Mujrimoon (criminals, disbelievers
in the Oneness of Allaah)"
[Hood 11:52]
Thirdly: Everyone who repents to Allaah, Allaah
accepts his repentance. The caravan of those who have
repented to Allaah will not be interrupted until the sun rises
from the west.
One repented from banditry, another from adultery,
and others from drinking alcohol, taking drugs, severing
the ties of kinship, not praying or being too lazy to pray
in congregation, disobeying parents, dealing in riba
(usury) and bribes, stealing, shedding blood, consuming
people's wealth unlawfully, or smoking. Anyone who repents
to Allaah from any sin is to be congratulated, because it
is as if they have been born anew through their
sincere repentance.
It was narrated from Abu Sa'eed Sa'd ibn Maalik
ibn Sinaan al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him)
that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said: "There was among the people who came before
you a man who killed ninety-nine people. Then he asked
about the most knowledgeable person on earth, and was
directed to a hermit, so he went to him, told him that he had
killed ninety-nine people, and asked if he could be
forgiven. The hermit said, `No,' so he killed him, thus
completing one hundred. Then he asked about the
most knowledgeable person on earth and was directed to
a scholar. He told him that he had killed one hundred
people, and asked whether he could be forgiven. The scholar
said, `Yes, what could possibly come between you
and repentance? Go to such-and-such a town, for in it
there are people who worship Allaah. Go and worship
with them, and do not go back to your own town, for it is a
bad place." So the man set off, but when he was halfway
there, the angel of death came to him, and the angels of
mercy and the angels of wrath began to argue over him.
The angels of mercy said: `He had repented and was
seeking Allaah.' The angels of wrath said: `He never did any
good thing.' An angel in human form came to them, and
they asked him to decide the matter. He said: `Measure
the distance between the two lands (his home town and
the town he was headed for), and whichever of the two he
is closest to is the one to which he belongs.' So
they measured the distance, and found that he was closer
to the town for which he had been headed, so the angels
of mercy took him."
(Agreed upon).
According to a version narrated by Muslim (2716):
"He was closer to the righteous town by a handspan, so
he was counted among its people."
According to a version narrated by al-Bukhaari
(3470): "Allaah commanded (the righteous town) to draw
closer and (the evil town) to move away, and he said:
"Measure the distance between them,' and he was found to be
closer to (the righteous town) by a handspan, so he
was forgiven."
According to a version narrated by Muslim: "He
leaned with his chest towards it".
What is meant by repentance is returning to Allaah,
giving up sin and hating it, and regretting falling short
in obedience to Allaah. Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have
mercy on him) said:
Repentance is essential from every sin, even if it
is something between a person and Allaah and has
nothing to do with the rights of another person. There are
three conditions of repentance:
1- You should give up the sin
2- You should regret having done it
3- You should resolve never to go back to it.
If one of these three is missing, then your repentance
is not sincere. If the sin has to do with the rights of
another person, then there are four conditions: the three
mentioned above and restoring the rights of that person. If it is
money or property, etc, it must be returned to him; if it had to
do with slandering him etc, then you should allow him
to insult him in return, or ask for his forgiveness; if it had
to do with backbiting about him, then you have to ask
for his pardon. It is essential to repent from all sins; if a
person repents from some, his repentance from the sins
from which he repented is valid _ according to the
scholars who follow the right path _ but he must still repent
from the rest as well.
End quote.
Based on the above, if these conditions are met by
the person who is repenting, then there is the hope that
his repentance will be accepted, by Allaah's leave. After
that he should not worry about waswaas (whispers)
suggesting that his repentance is not accepted, because that is
from the Shaytaan and is contrary to what Allaah and
His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) have told us, that repentance is accepted if it is sincere.
See also questions no. 624, 13630,
13990, 14289 and 34905.
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40664: Practising the secret habit (masturbation)
in Ramadaan without ejaculating
Question:
When I was a teenager I used to masturbate
sometimes during the day in Ramadaan, but I did not let the
semen come out of the penis because I blocked it, but I
still reached climax.
What is the ruling on my fast, and how can I expiate
for this grave sin? Please note that I do not know how
many days I did this.
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
It should be noted that this habit is haraam according
to sharee'ah, as is indicated in the Book of Allaah and
the Sunnah of His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him). We have already quoted the evidence in
detail in question no 329. This habit is something that
is repulsive to sound human nature and reason, and it is
not befitting for a Muslim to lower himself to this level.
It should also be noted that sin has negative
consequences a person, in this world and in the Hereafter, if he does
not repent and if Allaah does not bestow His mercy upon
him. We have already discussed this in the following
questions: 23425, 8861,
45040.
With regard to the ruling on the matter mentioned in
the question, if you engaged in the secret habit but no
semen came out as a result, then the fast is not
invalidated, according to the most sound scholarly opinion,
because what matters is the emission of semen. If it did come
out then the fast was invalidated and it has to be made up.
If it did not come out then the fast is not invalidated.
But whatever the case you have to repent to Allaah and
seek His forgiveness for wasting the fast by doing such things.
Semen may be emitted a short while later even if
you prevented it from coming out. In that case the fast of
that day is invalidated and you have to make it up. If you
do not know how many days your fast was invalidated,
then try to work it out until you reach a figure you think
is most likely, then make up the days that you owe.
Shaykh Ibn `Uthaymeen said in Sharh Zaad
al-Mustaqni': Is it possible for semen to move without being emitted?
Yes, that is possible, when a person's desire subsides
for some reason, then semen does not come out.
And they gave another example: if a person holds
his penis so that no semen comes out. Even though the
fuqaha' gave this as an example, it is very harmful. The
fuqaha' (may Allaah have mercy on them) gave something as
an example regardless of how harmful or not it may be.
But usually in such cases the semen is released after the
person lets go of his penis.
Some of the scholars said that ghusl is not required if
the semen moves. This is the view favoured by Shaykh
al-Islam and is the correct view. The evidence for that is
as follows:
1 _ The hadeeth of Umm Salamah in which it says:
"Yes, if she sees water." He did not say, If she feels it
moving. If ghusl were required when it moves, then he (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would have pointed
it out because there would have been a need to do so.
2 _ The hadeeth of Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri: "Water is
for water." In this case there is no water (i.e., emission).
So this hadeeth indicates that if there is no water
(emission) there is no need for water (ghusl).
3 _ The basic principle is that the person remains
pure (taahir) and no ghusl is required. This principle
cannot be changed unless there is evidence to that effect.
Al-Sharh al-Mumti', 1/280
See also: al-Furoo', 1/197;
al-Mabsoot, 1/67; al-Mughni, 1/128;
al-Majmoo', 2/159; al-Mawsoo'ah
al-Fiqhiyyah al-Kuwaitiyyah, 4/99
See also questions no. 38074 and
2571.
And Allaah knows best.
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40589: Practising the secret habit (masturbation)
in Ramadaan
Question:
I have a friend who told me that he had practised the
secret habit in Ramadaan and asked me: what is the ruling
on that? After Ramadaan ended he made up that day _
what is the ruling?.
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
Your friend has to realize that that this habit is
haraam according to sharee'ah, as is indicated in the Book
of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him). We have already quoted
the evidence in detail in question no 329. This habit
is something that is repulsive to sound human nature
and reason, and it is not befitting for a Muslim to lower
himself to this level.
It should also be noted that sin has negative
consequences a person, in this world and in the Hereafter, if he does
not repent and if Allaah does not bestow His mercy upon
him. We have already discussed this in the following
questions: 23425, 8861 .
This habit has many harmful effects, such as
weakening the body, and increasing the gulf between a person
and his Lord. It is one of the major factors in depression.
With regard to the matter mentioned in the question, if
he ejaculated as a result of masturbation then his fast
is invalidated and he has sinned; he has to refrain from
eating and drinking for the rest of the day, and he also has
to make up that day.
We have already discussed this in detail in the answer
to questions no. 38074 and 2571. And Allaah knows best.
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44615: He said that he committed zina with a woman
but he was lying
Question:
I am suffering deep torment because of a sin that
I committed in the past, and I do not know how to rid
myself of it. My life has been turned into hell because of
this thing.
Five years ago I was living in a religious vacuum, and
I was far away from Allaah. I have a cousin who was
the only friend I had in the whole world. One day the
Shaytaan tricked me, and I told my cousin that I had an
illicit relationship with some girls, but in fact I had
no relationship at all with them.
I do not know the punishment for this sin.
Unfortunately I thought that manhood meant having relationships with women as many young men
think nowadays.
No one knows about this and news of it did not
reach those women.
In Ramadaan last year I repented to Allaah. I had
a relationship with some women by phone and internet,
so I told them that I had repented and severed my ties
with them.
I felt the sweetness of faith that I had never felt before.
But I still remember the sin that I committed several
years ago. It has to do with people's honour. I prayed
istikhaarah and thought about it a great deal, and I am still
hesitant. Should I tell my friend that I lied to him so as to prove
to him that these women are innocent of what I said
about them, in which case I will lose my only friend when
he sees that I lied to him? Or should I keep quiet and not
say anything, but I fear Allaah's punishment for this sin,
so what should I do?.
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
We ask Allaah to forgive your sin and to conceal
your fault, and to help you avoid temptations both obvious
and hidden. With regard to your question, it can be
answered in the following points:
1 _ It seems from your question that the one whom
you accused of committing forbidden actions is a
specific woman whom you and your cousin know. If it is a
specific, known, woman, then this is slander by you against
her, which is a major sin and an abhorrent forbidden
action, because it is a slander against her honour and
a transgression of the limits set by Allaah. The
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, as
was narrated by Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased
with him): "Avoid the seven sins that doom one to Hell."
They said: "O Messenger of Allaah, what are they?" He
said: "Associating others with Allaah (shirk), witchcraft,
killing a soul whom Allaah has forbidden us to kill, except
when it is lawful, consuming riba, consuming the
orphan's wealth, running away from the battlefield, and
slandering chaste believing women who never even think of
anything touching their chastity (cf. al-Noor 24:23)." Narrated
by al-Bukhaari, no. 2615; Muslim, 89.
As well as slandering that woman, you are also
saying that you yourself committed zina, even if you are lying.
But if it is not a specific women, for example you said,
"I did such and such with a woman," and did not refer to
a specific woman, then this is not regarded as
slandering anyone, but you are still saying that you committed
zina for which a hadd punishment is deserved, so you have
to clear your own name.
It says in Badaa'i' al-Sanaa'i': If a person says,
"I committed zina with a woman, but I do not know
who she was,", his confession is valid and he should
be punished. Badaa'i' al-Sanaa'i', 7/51
2 _ If it is a specific woman, but you have repented
and regret what you did, part of your repentance is to tell
others that you were lying, so you have to tell your cousin
that you were not telling the truth, because you have to
clear the name of that chaste woman. It is not permissible
for you to give precedence to the friendship with your
cousin by slandering the honour of a Muslim woman.
Ibn Qudaamah said in al-Mughni:
The apparent meaning of Ahmad's words is that
the repentance of the slanderer is to state that he was
lying. So he should say, "I was lying when I said that." This
is the view of al-Shaafa'i. Ibn `Abd al-Barr said: Those
who said that also include Sa'eed ibn al-Musayyib,
`Ata', Tawoos, al-Shu'bi, Ishaaq, Abu `Ubayd and Abu Thawr.
`Abd al-Razzaaq narrated in al-Musannaf (5/77)
that Tawoos said: His repentance (i.e., the one who
accused someone of zina) is to say that he was lying.
3 _ You should note that the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever seeks the
pleasure of Allaah by angering people, Allaah will suffice
him against people, but whoever seeks to please people
by angering Allaah, Allaah will leave him to the
people." Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, no. 2414; classed as saheeh
by al-Albaani.
This hadeeth indicates that what you fear of a
bad relationship between you and your cousin is an insignificant matter. Whoever obeys Allaah and seeks
to please Him, Allaah will suffice him against people.
So you should care more about your relationship with
your Lord than your relationship with your cousin.
Remember that this is one of the trials with which Allaah tests
you, so do what is right and put your trust in Allaah, and
do not fear the blame of anyone. Pray a great deal
for forgiveness, repent and make du'aa' to Allaah, asking
him to make you steadfast in speaking the truth, and
to reconcile you and your cousin, for the hearts of men
are between two of the fingers of the Most Merciful, and
He turns them however He wills. And Allaah knows
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44593: Fleeing to Madeenah form tribulation
Question:
How can I flee to Madeenah to save myself from
the tribulations that have appeared and become prevalent??.
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
It is proven in the hadeeth of Jaabir (may Allaah be
pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said: "Madeenah is like a bellows
that eliminates the dross and enhances the good elements."
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6785; Muslim, 1383.
Al-Nawawi said: What this means is that those who
faith is contaminated will leave Madeenah and those
whose faith is sincere will stay there. It is proven in the
hadeeth of Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with
him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) said: "There is no land that the Dajjaal will not
enter, apart from Makkah and Madeenah. At every path of
them there are angels in ranks, guarding them. Madeenah
will be shaken three times with its inhabitants, and Allaah
will bring out of it every kaafir and hypocrite." Narrated
by al-Bukhaari, 1782; Muslim, 160.
And it was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah
be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "There will come a
time when a man will say to his cousin and relatives,
`Come to an easy life, come to an easy life,' but Madeenah
will be better for them if only they knew. By the One in
Whose hand is my soul, no one leaves Madeenah because
he prefers to lives elsewhere but Allaah will replace him
with someone who is better. Madeenah is like a bellows
that brings out the dross. The Hour will not begin
until Madeenah is cleansed of its evil people like the
bellows cleanses iron of dross." Narrated by Muslim, 1381.
These ahaadeeth explain that no evil will remain
in Madeenah and that it is always cleansed of its evil;
the Dajjaal will never enter it, and it is a better for those
who leave it for other places.
But this does not necessarily mean that those who
leave Madeenah have been tempted by the Shaytaan.
Allaah has created the causes of remaining steadfast in
adhering to truth and guidance, just as He has created the causes
of going astray. Everything is in the hand of Allaah,
from beginning to end, and Allaah creates causes for everything.
Some of the causes and means of remaining steadfast
in adhering to guidance are as follows:
1- Remembering Allaah a great deal (dhikr), praying
and reading Qur'aan
2- Always making du'aa' and asking Allaah to make
one steadfast
3- Keeping company with good people and sitting
with righteous people
4- Keeping away from situations and places that
provoke desires and cause temptation
5- Arming oneself with Islamic knowledge
6- Calling people to Allaah (da'wah) and sacrificing
that which is most precious for the sake of Allaah
7- You should read the books Ways to Steadfast
Faith and the book , 33 Ways of Developing Khushoo' in
Salaah on this website (under Useful Material > Books).
May Allaah help you to do all that is good.
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45670: He used to take money without his
parents' knowledge; what should he do now?
Question:
I have a very important question, which I hope you
can answer. My father has a store in which he sells cards
for public telephones. Every time I needed a card I used
to tell my father or my mother that I was going to take
a card from the store and they would let me do that.
But there came a time when I needed a card nearly every
day. And I would take a card with the knowledge of the
clerk who was working in the store, but I did not tell my
father or mother, because I felt that they would never agree
to that. When I realized how wrong this was, I never
took anything without their knowledge after that. I
regretted what I had done and repented to Allaah. Is
repentance enough or do I have to tell them what I was doing?
Or can I at least take part of my own money and give it
to them without them knowing that it was me who gave
them this money, because I cannot tell them openly? Can I
give them the money until I have paid off what I took,
knowing that I do not know the true amount I took because I
took so many cards?.
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
We hope that when you used a lot of these cards it
was for good and permissible purposes, because if it was
used for the opposite then your using them will be
compounded by other sins too, so you should pay attention to this fact.
As you have acknowledged that you were wrong to
take these cards without your parents' permission, you
have to repent from doing that _ praise be to Allaah Who
has guided you to repent and regret your actions. But
you should understand that there are conditions for
repentance, which is not valid unless they are met. These
conditions include: immediately giving up the forbidden
action, resolving not to go back to it, and restoring
people's rightful property or seeking their forgiveness. You do
not have to tell your father what you did, rather what
you have to do is to return the money in whatever way
you can. You should try hard to figure out the value of
the cards you took without your father's permission, and
give this money to him.
We ask Allaah to accept your repentance and to
guide you to do righteous deeds. And Allaah knows best.
For more information see the answers to questions
no. 43100, 33858, 31234, 40157
And Allaah knows best.
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45001: Every time he improves in worship, he goes back
to sin
Question:
I have a problem. Every time I do more acts of
worship and my faith improves and I do more naafil acts
of worship, Sunnahs and things that are mustahabb, I
end up committing the secret habit (masturbation) despite
the fact that I am married and have a happy family life.
When I do this thing I feel that I am committing sin and I
feel ashamed before Allaah. So I strive to increase my
faith but it is not long before I do the same thing again. I am
in a bad situation _ please help me.
I heard on a tape that some people are filled with
self-admiration when they increase their acts of worship,
so Allaah causes them to commit sin so that they will
realize that they are still slaves who have no right to admire
their deeds, and whatever they do is still only a little. Am I
one of these people? Is what I understood from that
tape correct?
Please note that, praise be to Allaah, I pray and adhere
to most of the teachings of Islam, but this problem gets
worse every time I do more naafil acts of worship. What is
the solution? Please help me, may Allaah reward you
with good.
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
What you have mentioned _ that Allaah may test a
person with sin in order to bring him back to Him, and so that
he will not admire himself _ has been mentioned by some
of the scholars. Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy
on him) said:
"Sin may be more beneficial for a person, if it leads
him to repent, than doing a lot of acts of worship. This is
what is meant by the words of one of the salaf: `A person
may commit a sin and enter Paradise because of it, or he
may do an act of worship and enter Hell because of it.'
They said: `How is that?' He said: `He may commit a sin
and continues to think about it, and when he stands or sits
or walks he remembers his sin, so he feels ashamed
and repents and seeks forgiveness and regrets it, so that
will be the means of his salvation. And he may do a
good deed and continue to think about it, and when he
stands or sits or walks he remembers it and it fills him with
self-admiration and pride, so it is the cause of his doom.
So the sin may be the factor that leads him to do acts
of worship and good deeds and to change his attitude
so that he fears Allaah and feels shy before Him and
feels humiliated before Him, hanging his head in shame
and weeping with regret, seeking he forgiveness of his
Lord. Each of these effects is better for a person than an act
of worship that makes him feel proud and show off and
look down on people. Undoubtedly this sin is better
before Allaah and is more likely to bring salvation than one
who admires himself and looks down on others, and who
thinks that he is doing Allaah a favour. Even if he says
words that indicate something other than that, Allaah is
the Witness over what is in his heart. Such a person may
feel hatred towards people if they do not hold him in
high esteem and humiliate themselves before him. If he
were to examine himself honestly, he would see that
clearly." Madaarij al-Saalikeen, 1/299
Shaykh Ibn `Uthaymeen said:
"How often is it the case that one of us will be better
after committing sin than he was before. In many instances
a person errs and falls into sin, then he feels ashamed in
his heart before Allaah and he turns to Him and repents
to Him, so that he thinks of that sin all the time
and continually regrets it and seeks forgiveness. But
another person may think that he is obedient (towards
Allaah) and that he is one of the people who obey and
worship Him, so he starts to admire himself and does not turn
to Allaah, which adversely affects his religious
commitment. Allaah is Wise and may test a person with sin in order
to set him straight, just as He may test a person with
hunger in order to improve his health. Adam was only
chosen after he had committed sin and repented therefrom.
As Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Then his Lord chose him, and turned to him
with forgiveness, and gave him guidance" [Ta-Ha 20:122]
i.e., after he had sinned and repented, his Lord chose him
and accepted his repentance and guided him. Looks at
those who stayed behind from the campaign of Tabook _
what happened to them? Undoubtedly their faith increased
and they attained a higher status than they had before.
Could the verses concerning them that will be recited until
the Day of Resurrection have been revealed if they had
not done that then repented to Allaah?"
al-Sharh al-Mumti', 3/66
Moreover it should be noted that this habit is
haraam according to sharee'ah, as is indicated by the Book
of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him). We have already quoted
the evidence in detail in the answer to question no.
329. This habit is also something that is regarded as
repulsive according to man's instincts and reason, and it is
not befitting for a Muslim to lower himself to the level
of doing that.
It should also be noted that sin has a negative effect on
a person in this world and in the Hereafter, if he does
not repent and if Allaah does not bestow His mercy upon
him. We have already discussed this in detail in the
following questions: 23425 and 8861.
There are causes for this habit, so keep away from
them so that you will be able to give it up. You should do
the following things:
1- Strive to keep company with good, righteous,
pious people, and learn from them and their experiences.
2- Always remember Allaah and recite Qur'aan, and
adopt a daily wird (collection of du'aa's and dhikrs) that
you recite every day without fail.
3- Set yourself a program for learning Islamic
knowledge etc.
4- Set yourself an exercise program, or join a sports club
5- Do a lot of naafil acts of worship, especially
voluntary fasts, for this is an important means of resisting
temptation and reducing desire.
6- Strive in making du'aa' and ask Allaah to rid you
of this forbidden bad habit and to strengthen your resolve.
7- Remember that the harms caused by the secret
habit are innumerable; it weakens the body, saps one's
strength, and increases the distance between a person and his
Lord. It is a major factor in depression and feelings of sin.
8- Avoid being alone as much as possible, because
this habit is one of the effects of being alone.
9- Try to pray in the mosque, and pray qiyaam
al-layl, because this will bring tranquility to the heart.
10-Finally, you have to repent continually, weep with
fear of Allaah, humble yourself before Him, and ask Him
to forgive you. If you resolve firmly each time not to
go back to that habit, then your nafs threatens to
overwhelm you, then resist it. "But as for him who feared
standing before his Lord, and restrained himself from impure
evil desires and lusts, Verily, Paradise will be his abode"
[al-Naazi'aat 79:40 _ interpretation of the
meaning]. If you give in, then repent anew, and renew your promise
(not to do it again). Do not despair of the mercy of Allaah,
and do a great deal of naafil acts of worship and
righteous deeds. "And perform AsSalaat (Iqaamatas Salaat), at
the two ends of the day and in some hours of the night
[i.e. the five compulsory Salaat (prayers)]. Verily, the
good deeds remove the evil deeds (i.e. small sins). That is
a reminder (an advice) for the mindful (those who
accept advice)" [Hood 11:114].
May Allaah help you to do all that is good.
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45016: He stole from his father and brother, and
now regrets it
Question:
When I was a teenager, I used to take money from
my father and my older brother without their knowledge.
Now I regret what I did, and I am wondering whether I
should return the money to its owners, but I do not know
exactly how much I took.
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
What you did comes under the heading of stealing,
but you regret what you have done and the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Regret
is repentance." Narrated by Ahmad, 3558; Ibn
Maajah (4252; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in
Saheeh Ibn Maajah. What is meant is that regret is the major part
of repentance.
Praise be to Allaah that you have been guided to
repent. Part of your repentance is returning things to their
rightful owners, or asking them to forgive you and let you off.
You have to figure out how much you took, and do
your best to work it out, then return it to your father and brother.
You do not have to tell them that you had stolen this
money from them, rather the point is to return the money to
its rightful owners in whatever way possible.
See also questions no. 31234 and
40157.
If you want to tell them what happened and ask for
their forgiveness, this will not harm you, in sha
Allaah, especially since you did this when you were a
teenager and Allaah has now enabled you to repent from it.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: "The one who repents is like one who did not
sin." Narrated by Ibn Maajah, 4250; classed as saheeh by
al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah.
You must hasten to do that, because the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to
his companions one day:
"Do you know who is the one who is bankrupt?"
They said: "Among us, the one who is bankrupt is the one
who has no dirhams and no goods." He said: "Rather the
one who is bankrupt amongst my ummah is the one who
will come on the Day of Resurrection with prayer, fasting
and zakaah, but he will come having insulted this
one, slandered that one, consumed the wealth of this one,
shed the blood of that one and beaten this one, all of
whom will be given some of his hasanaat (good deeds), and
if his hasanaat run out before the scores have been
settled, some of their sins will be taken and thrown onto
him, then he will be cast into the Fire." Narrated by
Muslim, 2581.
We ask Allaah to accept your repentance, and to help
you to say and do the right thing.
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42464: Is it possible to return to this world to do
righteous deeds?
Question:
My sister is dying, and she probably will not live
through next month; only Allaah (SWT) knows. She has
done many things in her life that she has bitterly regretted
and sincerely repented for, and she is always wishing she
could go back in time and correct the past. She told me
she wants to know one thing before she dies: Will those
who are blessed by Allah's mercy and granted the
eternal Jannah, since they will be given anything and
everything their heart so wishes in the Hereafter, be able to
somehow go back in time, back into the earthly past by
Allaah's leave and correct their own and others' grave
worldly mistakes and wrongdoings, by having their own
special personal world in Jannah? Allaah (SWT) has said
about the believers' Jannah: "I have prepared for My
righteous servants that which no eye has seen, no ear has
heard, and it has not crossed the mind of man. Recite, if
you wish: `No person knows what is kept hidden for them
of joy'". Allaah (SWT) will give those who dwell in
Jannah rewards that they have not ever even dreamed
of; therefore, will He give them that which had crossed
their minds in this life but could not have, and my sister's
wish in particular? Please, please answer as quickly as
possible. This is terribly distressing to my sister, and she most
likely will not live past the next few weeks. Only Allaah
(SWT) knows. Please help, and may Allaah (SWT) bless you
in this life and the next.
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:
You should note, may Allaah bless you, that people's
life spans are in the hand of Allaah, Who says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"For everything there is a time prescribed"
[al-Ra'd 13:38 - Pickthall]
"and no person knows in what land he will die"
[Luqmaan 31:34]
It is not possible for anyone to know when he will die;
it is only speculation which may be proven true or may
be proven false.
Sickness _ for example _ does not mean that a
person will die soon, just as being young and strong does
not mean that a person will live for a long time.
How often have people assumed that a sick person
will die soon, then he has lived for a long time. And how
often has death come suddenly to a healthy person.
The poet spoke the truth when he said:
Equip yourself with piety, for you do not know,
when night comes, whether you will live till dawn.
How many young men laugh in the evening and the morning, when their shrouds have been prepared but
they do not realize?
How often do people hope for a long life for young
people, then their bodies enter the darkness of the grave.
How many brides have been adorned for their
grooms, when it has been decreed on Laylat al-Qadar that
their souls are to be taken.
How many healthy people have died for no reason,
and how many sick people lived for a long time.
What is required of the believer is to prepare for death
at any time, by repenting to Allaah and doing
righteous deeds. Ibn Maajah (4259) narrated that Ibn `Umar said:
I was with the Messenger of Allaah (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) when a man from among
the Ansaar came to him and greeted the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) with salaam, then
he said: "O Messenger of Allaah, which of the believers
is best?" He said: "The one who is best in attitude."
He said: "Which of the believers is most wise?" He
said: "The one who remembers death the most, and is
best prepared for what comes after it. Those are the wise."
Al-Iraaqi said: its isnaad is jayyid. It was classed as hasan
by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah.
Praise be to Allaah Who has guided your sister to
repent and to regret what she has done in the past.
We send her the glad tidings that if she is sincere in
her repentance, then Allaah will accept her repentance
and will turn her bad deeds into good deeds. Allaah
says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Except those who repent and believe (in
Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds; for those,
Allaah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allaah
is OftForgiving, Most Merciful"
[al-Furqaan 25:70]
See also question no. 14289
Secondly:
When the believer enters Paradise, Allaah will give
him all that he wishes for, and more than he wishes for.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them;
(there will be) therein all that innerselves could desire, and
all that eyes could delight in and you will abide
therein forever"
[al-Zukhruf 43:71]
Al-Bukhaari (806) narrated from Abu Hurayrah and
Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with them) in
a lengthy hadeeth that the Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him) told them of the last of the people
of Paradise to be admitted to Paradise. Allaah will say
to him:
"Tell Me your wishes." So he will say all that he
wishes for, and Allaah will prompt him to mention other
wishes and when he cannot wish for any more, Allah will
say "You will have that and a similar amount besides."
Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him)
said to Abu Hurayrah, The Messenger of Allaah (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, "Allaah said,
`You will have that and ten times more.'" Abu Hurayrah
said, "I only remember the Messenger of Allaah (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) saying, `You will
have that and a similar amount besides.'" Abu Sa'eed said,
"I heard him saying, `You will have that and ten
times more.'"
But if a believer wishes to go back to this world then
he will not be granted that, because Allaah has decreed
that no one will go back to this world.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And a ban is laid on every town (population) which
We have destroyed that they shall not return (to this
world again, nor repent to Us)"
[al-Anbiya' 21:95]
i.e., the people of the towns that Allaah has
destroyed will wish to go back to this world so that they can
make up for what they missed. See Tafseer
al-Sa'di, 868.
Al-Bukhaari (2817) and Muslim (1877) narrated that
Anas ibn Maalik said: The Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him) said: "No one who enters
Paradise will wish to come back to this world, even if he were
to be given all that it contains, except for the martyr,
who will wish that he could come back and killed ten
times because of the honour that he sees."
But that wish will not be granted to him.
Al-Tirmidhi (3010) and Ibn Maajah (190) narrated
that Jaabir ibn `Abd-Allaah ibn Haraam said: "The
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) met me on the day of Uhud and said: `O Jaabir, shall I
not tell you what Allaah said to your father?' I said: `Yes,
O Messenger of Allaah.' He said: `Allaah has never
spoken to anyone except from behind a screen, but He spoke
to your father directly and said: "O My slave, ask
something from Me and I shall give it to you." He said, "O
Lord, bring me back to life so that I may be killed for Your
sake a second time." The Lord, may He be glorified, said:
"I have already decreed that they will not return to life."
He said, "My Lord, then convey (this news) to those whom
I have left behind." Allaah said:
"Think not of those as dead who are killed in the way
of Allaah. Nay, they are alive, with their Lord, and they
have provision"
[Aal `Imraan 3:169].'"
Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn
Maajah.
We ask Allaah to bless your sister and all the
Muslims with sincere repentance.
And Allaah knows best.
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40217: He has repented from dealing with a
riba-based bank but he does not know what his capital was
Question:
I have a friend who used to deal with riba-based
banks, and he took a loan and engaged in other
riba-based transactions _ we ask Allaah to keep us safe and
sound. Allaah blessed him with guidance and he stopped all
his dealings with the banks. Now he does not know
his original capital, and he cannot separate it from the
loans and the interest. He wants to purify himself and his
wealth from previous years. What should he do? Please
advise us, may Allaah reward you.
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
Your friend should contact the bank to find out how
much the interest was that was added to his capital, then
he should get rid of this interest by spending it on
charitable causes. See question no. 292 and
2370.
If he does not know how much it is exactly, he
should pay what he thinks is most likely to be the amount
of interest that he took, and Allaah does not burden any
soul beyond its scope.
With regard to the interest-based loans that he took
and has paid off, that belongs to him. It is sufficient for
him to repent and regret what he has done, and to resolve
not to repeat such haraam actions.
We praise Allaah for helping him and guiding him
away from these haraam interactions, and we ask Him to
bless him in his wealth and to provide for him of His bounty.
And Allaah knows best.
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42992: She committed incest with her brother _ should
she tell her husband?
Question:
Between the ages of 10 and 14 she committed
immoral actions with her brother who was three years older
than her, but intercourse did not take place. Then she grew
up and realized that she was sinning, and she and her
brother gave up this action and regretted it deeply. She fell
in love with a young man and did everything with him
except intercourse.
Should she tell her husband in the future of what she
did with her brother in the past? Is it true that her
parents' marriage is regarded as null and void because of
what they did? How should the relationship be between
her children and her brother's children in the future?
How can she repent and seek forgiveness for her sins? Will
her sin be forgiven if she says "Yaa Ghafoor, yaa
Raheem, yaa `Afuw" repeatedly?.
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
What you have to do is to repent to Allaah and seek
His forgiveness for what you have done. What you have
done is no minor matter. Allaah says (interpretation of
the meaning):
"And come not near to unlawful sex. Verily, it is
a Faahishah (i.e. anything that transgresses its limits:
a great sin, and an evil way that leads one to hell
unless Allaah Forgives him)"
[al-Isra' 17:32]
What you and your brother did is a kind of
approaching zina (unlawful sex). Allaah says (interpretation of
the meaning):
"And those who invoke not any other ilaah (god)
along with Allaah, nor kill such person as Allaah has
forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal
sexual intercourse and whoever does this shall receive
the punishment.
The torment will be doubled to him on the Day
of Resurrection, and he will abide therein in disgrace;
Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds; for those,
Allaah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allaah
is OftForgiving, Most Merciful"
[al-Furqaan 25:68]
And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) said: "O ummah of Muhammad, by Allaah there
is none more indignant than Allaah when His slave,
male or female, commits zina. O ummah of Muhammad,
if you knew what I know, you would laugh little and
weep much."
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1044; Muslim, 901.
So what you and your brother have to do is to repent
to Allaah from what you have done, and to do a lot
of righteous deeds such as praying, fasting and giving
charity, so as to atone for your evil actions.
What happened between you and that man is another
sin. Our advice to you is to check yourself and realize
that when Allaah becomes angry with His slave He
dooms him and removes blessing from his entire life, if he
does not repent and turn back to his Lord.
With regard to telling your husband about what
has happened to you in the past, you do not have to do
that once you have repented from it. You should cover
yourself and not speak openly of something that you have done
in the past. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him) said: "All of my ummah will be forgiven
except those who commit sin blatantly. It is committing
sin blatantly if a man does something at night, then in
the morning when Allaah has concealed him, he says, `O
So and so, I did such and such last night,' when all night
his Lord has concealed him, and he uncovers that
which Allaah has concealed." Narrated by al-Bukhaari,
6069; Muslim, 2990.
Your parents' marriage is not regarded as null and
void, because there is not connection between what
happened and your parents' marriage.
"And no bearer of burdens shall bear another's burden"
[Faatir 35:18]
So if you conceal what you did, and your brother
also conceals what he did _ which is what you both must do
_ then the relationship between your children will be
very normal and there will be no problems, either from
the shar'i or social point of view.
With regard to repentance from sin and seeking forgiveness for it, there are conditions attached,
which are discussed in question no. 13990.
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