Repentence / Tawbah
The word Tawbah (Repentance) in Arabic literally means 'to return'.
In an Islamic context, it refers to the act of leaving what Almighty Allah has prohibited and returning to what He has commanded.
The subject of repentance is one which concerns all people who believe in Allah, and is vital one for the Muslims to understand because our salvation in the hereafter is dependent on our repentance to Allah, as is shown by Allah's order:
"And turn you all together in repentance to Allah, O Believers, that you may be successful" Qur'an, Soorah An Noor, 24:31
In the second chapter of the Qur'an, Almighty Allah tells us:
"Surely Allah loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves." Qur'an, Soorah al Baqarah, 2:222
This shows how pleasing our repenting is to Allah. Also, the Prophet Muhammad, may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him, gave us an example of just how pleasing to Allah our repenting is an authentic hadeeth in which he, peace be upon him, said:
"Allah is more delighted with the repentance of His servant than one of you would be, who suddenly finds his camel laden with supplies after losing it in a barren land" Bukhari & Muslim
Try to imagine your joy if you were to suddenly retrieve everything you ever possessed after losing all hope of recovering what you had lost. Then think that Allah's delight is even greater than this when His slave repents to Him. So much so, that if man stopped repenting to Allah, He would replace us with another creation that would turn to Him for forgiveness. The Prophet, may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him, said:
"If you did not commit sins, Allah would sweep you out of existence and replace you by another people who would commit sins, ask for Allah's forgiveness and He would forgive them." Muslim
The problem with many of us today, is that we don't fear Allah the Almighty, which means that we don't think twice about disobeying Him and therefore falling into sin, which we give no real thought to. So perhaps we should think about the statement which Ibn Mas'ood radiyallahu anhu, may Allah be pleased with him, made:
"A believer sees his sins as if he were sitting under a mountain which he is afraid may fall on him, whereas the wicked person considers his sins as flies passing over his nose and he just drives them away like this (and he moved his hand over his nose in illustration)." Bukhari
Never Despair
Someone might say: "I want to repent but my sins are too many". But Almighty Allah says (in the Qur'an):
"Say: O My slaves who have transgressed against themselves! Despair not for the mercy of Allah, verily Allah forgives all sins. Truly He is the oft forgiving, Most Merciful." Qur'an, Soorah Az Zumar, 39:53
Therefore, we should never lose hope or stop asking for Allah's forgiveness. Its importance is shown to us in a hadeeth in which the Prophet, may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him, said:
"O people! Turn to Allah in repentance and seek His forgiveness, for surely I make repentance a hundred times every day." MuslimRepentance is such a great act of worship that doing it can totally erase our sins altogether, as the Prophet, may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him, said:
"One who repents from sin is like one without sin." Hasan - Reported by Abu Ubaydah ibn 'Abdullaah and collected by Ibn Majah. Authenticated by Shaykh al Albaanee
Only Almighty Allah can forgive Sins
Forgiveness for our sins is not something that comes automatically, it is something that must be sought sincerely and with consciousness. Also we should remember that it is only through Allah's Mercy that anyone will ever enter Paradise. The Prophet, may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him, advised:
"Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and rejoice, for no one's good deeds will put him in Paradise." The Companions asked: "Not even you, O Messenger of Allah?" He replied: "Not even me unless Allah bestows His pardon and mercy on me." Bukhari
Therefore in Islaam, salvation rests on faith (which includes), good actions and hope in Allah's mercy, all combined in truly unique manner which is not found in any other religion or system.
Furthermore, it is only Allah who can forgive our sins and He is not in need of any intercessor. The proof for this is in a du'a (supplication) which the Prophet Muhammad, may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him, taught his closest Companion Abu Bakr radiyallahi anhu:
"O Allah, truly I have wronged myself and none can forgive sins except you." Bukhari & Muslim
Therefore it is a complete waste of time asking forgiveness from the people such as "saints", pious people or even the Prophet, may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him. Almighty Allah said in reply to people who do such things:
"Verily, those you call upon besides Allah, are only slaves like yourselves." Qur'an, Soorah al A'raaf, 7:194
It is important that we never despair of Allah's Mercy - no sin is too great to repent for or too little for that matter. As one of the Salaf (Pious predecessors) said:
"Do not look at the insignificance of your sins, but consider the greatness of the One you are disobeying". Collected in al Baihaqee's Sh'abul Eemaan