Repentance: A Path for Mankind to Remain Hopeful
Tawba (repentance) means a return from sin. In the Quran and religious texts, it has frequently been attributed to God.
“God is Tawwab (All-forgiving) and All-merciful.” (Surah At-Tawbah, Verse 118)
Tawwab is a name of God which means one who recurrently returns (something).
Tawba is a path for one to return to God, and this path is always open, even if he makes mistakes over and over. Of course it is necessary that the Tawba must be real.
Real Tawba has certain conditions and stages that include: regret, firm intention to abandon sins, and making up for the sin committed. It is only then that one can have real Tawba.
God calls on the believers to have such a Tawba: “Believers, turn to Allah in sincere repentance. Your Lord may acquit you of your sins, and admit you to Gardens underneath which rivers flow on a Day when Allah will not degrade the Prophet and those who believe with him. Their light will run before them and on their right hands, and they will say: ‘Our Lord, complete our light for us and forgive us. Surely, You have power over all things.’” (Surah At-Tahrim, Verse 8)
One of the first things all messengers of God did was inviting people to repent, because without it and without staying away from sins, there would be no place for inviting one to monotheism and virtues.
When Prophet Hud (AS) was appointed to prophethood, he told his people: “My nation, ask your Lord to forgive you and turn to Him in repentance.” (Surah Hud, Verse 52)
That is what Prophet Shuaib (AS) also did: “Ask the forgiveness of your Lord and turn to Him in repentance. Indeed, my Lord is the Most Merciful, Loving.” (Surah Hud, Verse 90)
Repentance is not for certain or limited to certain groups of people. It is for returning from all sins. It is a way to show regret and asking God for forgiveness. Tawba is an opportunity given by God for keeping hope in people’s hearts.
