ISLAM

Repentance in Islam

Repentance in Islam

Introduction

The concept of repentance is one of the main element under Islamic law. The ideal way is not to seek revenge at all but reconciliation and to make the offender realize the gravity of his or her offence. “But if the thief repents after his crime, and amends his conduct, God turneth to him in forgiveness: for God is forgiving, Most Merciful” ; and “Except those who repent and make amends and openly declare (the Truth) to them I turn for I am returning, Most Merciful”(Surah Al Baqarah 2:160).One is said to have repented if there is a feeling of genuine remorse, shame and resolve to not repeat the crime. Where a person has repented before being caught or arrested, the effect of this is that it can remit the hadd punishment.(Athar,Pp.10,2010)

Islam has looked towards crime prevention more than punishing the criminal. This is a kin to the English saying “Prevention is better than cure”. For this purpose Islam has prescribed preventative measures that are to be taken in order to curb crime in the society. God has the tendency to forgive rather than to condemn as He is described as “The most forgiving, the Most Merciful” and “the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy”. The biggest proof that He is indeed the most merciful is by sending His Prophets and Messengers with revelations. This is supported from the verses “It is God who has sent down the Scripture with Truth and the Balance” (42:17) and “It was only as a mercy that we sent you (Prophet) to all people” (21:107). The Scripture serves as the God's mercy as it contains God's warning against the evils and the complete God's guidance toward the right path. Those who follow the Prophet's teaching will be rewarded in the Hereafter. Without His mercy, blessing and hidayah, ones could never been able to practice Islam, as a way of life hence will be misled and gone astray from the straight path. (Al-Qardawi,Pp.15,1997)

Nevertheless, Allah also has promised that “those who repent, who believe, who do righteous deeds, will enter paradise” (19:60). Therefore, those who have done mistakes in the past may repent and God will swipe away all his sins (the concept of taubah). Taubah is the regret and sadness which arise in the heart sincerely, when remembering of a sin. For taubah to be accepted by God, ones must restrain themselves from repeating the mistakes again in the future and fully regret of the sins committed. It is only due to the nature of God, which is the Most Merciful; He accepts and forgives those whom sincerely repent.

Discussion

Repentance in Islam

In order to be saved with the Lord you must have repent and you also have to believe in God in order to be saved. Muslim's cannot reject Islam. They must say that there is no God before or after Allah, and Mohammed is the only prophet. They should love the Lord with all their heart, mind, soul and strength, and love you ...