Tawbah and Why It’s Essential for Every Muslim

by 16 September 202130 comments

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ

In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

The word Tawbah literally means ‘return’. In religious terminology, it is the return to Allah — more precisely, the return to the Creator after having disobeyed Him, in order to ask for His forgiveness; a repentance.

As the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, all human beings are sinners, but the best among them are those who repent:

“All the sons of Adam are sinners, and the best of the sinners are those who repent abundantly.”

 

[At-Tirmidhi]

Falling into the Forbidden

We all commit mistakes, acts that are not in accordance with our faith. In moments of carelessness, we may put our passions before our fear in the One, hence we fall into the forbidden.

But even more severe than the sin itself would be to lose hope in God’s Mercy. Is it not greater than our sin, whatever it may be?

There is a verse in the Book of Allah that warms the anguished heart of the sinner, and forbids anyone to lose hope:

قُلۡ يَٰعِبَادِيَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسۡرَفُواْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ لَا تَقۡنَطُواْ مِن رَّحۡمَةِ ٱللَّهِۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَغۡفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًاۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

 

Say: “O My servants who have committed excesses to your own detriment, despair not of the mercy of Allah. For Allah forgives all sins. For Allah forgives all sins: for He is the Forgiver, the Most Merciful.”

 

[Az-Zumar 39:53]

The door to repentance is always open and a fresh start is always possible, no matter how bad the sin.

Don’t Wait to Repent

But Allah also tells us not to delay our repentance, for there will come a time when it will be too late, and that time is death. The death that will strike us all, without anyone knowing when…

وَأَنِيبُوٓاْ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمۡ وَأَسۡلِمُواْ لَهُۥ مِن قَبۡلِ أَن يَأۡتِيَكُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابُ ثُمَّ لَا تُنصَرُونَ

 

“And return to your Lord in repentance, and submit to Him, before the chastisement comes to you, and then you receive no help.”

 

[Az-Zumar 39:54]

It is therefore fundamental to repent sincerely after every sin, for we do not know when the angel of death will come to take our soul.

Purifying the Heart

In addition to this, there is another reason to repent immediately after committing a disobedience to the Almighty, and that is the purification of the heart. Indeed, we often have the impression that a sin is only an act limited in time, but it is more than that. It has an effect on the heart of the one who committed it.

The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, tells us in a hadith:

“When a servant commits a sin, a black mark is written on his heart. If he asks for forgiveness and repents, his heart is cleansed. But if he persists, the stain grows to cover his whole heart.”

 

[At Tirmidhî]

Sin leaves a mark on the heart, and if it covers it completely then the light of faith no longer shines in it, the person becomes insensitive to the mention of Allah, the verses of the Qur’an no longer touch him, the heart becomes impervious to recall.

In the rest of the Hadith, the Prophet, peace be upon him, tells us:

“(This task) is what Allah says:”Not at all! But what they have done covers their hearts.”

 

[Al-Mutaffifin 83:14]

Who is it about? Let us see the previous verse:

‘(He) who, when our verses are recited to him, says: “These are but tales of the ancients.”‘

[Al-Mutaffifin 83:13]

He whose heart is covered with the black stain left by the sins he has committed no longer distinguishes good from evil, true from false.

The sinner thus enters a vicious circle, the more he disobeys the more he distances himself from Allah and sinks into disobedience to the point that his heart becomes blind and no longer recognises the truth.

The only way to stop this vicious circle and to go back to the light of faith is to purify the heart through Tawbah, sincere repentance. How can this be done? This will be the subject of a future article, with Allah’s permission.

 

Vincent Souleymane, a French imam and shariah advisor at Muslim Pro, has devoted his time to study and enrich others with the knowledge of Islamic sciences ever since he converted to the religion in 1999. During his studies at the Oussoul Eddine Institute in Saint-Denis, he became aware of the importance of devotion to Allah and decided to continue his religious studies at the daroul ouloum achrafiya of the Island La Réunion and at the IESH of Château Chinon. Since then, Vincent Souleymane devotes himself to the Almighty by teaching Islam at the Oussoul Eddine Institute, as well as being an imam at the Fontenay sous Bois Mosque.

Translated by Elyssa Faucher.

About The Author

Muslim Pro Team

Comprised of a diverse team of writers, editors, and experts, the Muslim Pro Team is committed to delivering insightful, relevant, and authentic content that resonates with the global Muslim community. With a passion for Islamic spirituality, culture, and modern living, our team members bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to every article, ensuring that Muslim Pro remains a trusted source for guidance, inspiration, and connection in the digital age. Together, we strive to empower and uplift Muslims worldwide on their journey of faith and personal growth.

30 Comments

  1. Mir Mohamed Rahmatulla

    Excellent article. May Allah give toufic for Repentance to all Muslims before death. Amen. Best wishes

    Reply
  2. Hassan Daud

    It has really bean a very great pleasure for sure and insightful lecture

    Reply
  3. Aliu O. Akano

    Maa Shaa Allah swt. Alhamdulillahi Rabbal a’alamin. May Allah swt bless Imam Vincent abundantly.
    Jazaak Allah Khair katheerah to MuslimPro
    Jumu’ah Mubarak

    Reply
  4. Mimi

    So true… Allah is the Most Merciful..

    Reply
  5. Metta Mustapha

    Thanks ???????? is really educational and informative

    Reply
  6. Muhammad Aslam Shad

    Thanks for providing us beautiful knowledge,

    Reply
  7. Rakiya Sule Garo

    Jazakallah khair

    Reply
  8. Fandi Shettima

    Alhamdulillah! I’m happy for the Imam to attain such positions in a short period of time
    May Allah grant us the shiffa May Allah also bless, help, protect, guide, provide, reward, encourage, enlightened, assist and put us through

    Reply
  9. Faridat

    Masha Allah tabarakAllah

    Reply
  10. Jamilu Mailafiya

    Jazakumullahu khair

    Reply
  11. Jamil Ahmad

    Jazak Allah A good job being done MashaAllah.Keep it up

    Reply
  12. Botingnaa M. Al-Hassan

    Quite inspirational and gives hope to hopeless

    Reply
  13. Rifqat Esere

    The information is quite educative and it helped one’s understanding. This exercise should be carried out for other areas of Islam.

    Reply
  14. Sabirah Alexander

    Jazakallah khair may Allah reward u for sharing Ameen ????????

    Reply
  15. Abu Jalloh

    Beautiful

    Reply
  16. Lisa Ruffin

    I want to only please Allah , to be a good muslimah and learn Al Islam to understand fully may Allah grant me this for nothing happens without his permission

    Reply
  17. Aladdin

    Beautiful article that came when I needed it. SubhanAllah thank you

    Reply
  18. Abdul Hock

    How do , I purify myself through Islam
    And honesty change my ways for the betterment of me?

    Reply
  19. Sujud Sanno

    May grant him more wisdom in the religion of Islam and so that he can continue to spread the knowledge of Islam to the entire world.
    Barakallahu Fee Kim.

    Reply
  20. Ericka

    ????????❣️????

    Reply
  21. Tracy Colon

    I repent of my sins and continue to do so I want to get closer and closer to Allah please I need more knowledge and want to become a Muslim. Thank u please help me.

    Reply
  22. Adam

    Thank you for sharing and May Allah’s Peace and Blessings be with you always. Ameen

    Reply
  23. Angela Amatullah Jones

    As Salaam Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh Alhamdulillah Shukran

    Reply
  24. Angela Amatullah Jones

    As Salaam Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh Alhamdulillah Shukran for sharing

    Reply
  25. Avana

    ALHAMDULILAH ! Jazak Allah Kharain!

    Beautifully explained with verses from Holy Quran !

    Reply
  26. Falira

    Masha Allah very educative piece.
    It will be very beneficial to know how tawba is done.
    Jazakallahu Khair

    Reply
  27. Shaharyar khan

    Jazak ALLAH ! May you have all the blessings by ALLAH and Almighty’s mercy upon you. Wonderful article and beautiful words. I have no words to express about the beauty of this article. May Almighty help us to avoid all kind of sins and disobedience Ameen

    Reply
  28. Pooja Majumdar

    Such a beautiful reminder!

    Reply
  29. Ifraah

    Jazakallahu khayran brother fol Islam

    Reply

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