At-Tawwāb
The Accepting of Repentance
He is the One Who returns to His servant with approval after being angry at him and with forgiveness after punishing him or the punishment becomes due. And He is the One Who enables His servant to repent and accepts his repentance.
This noble name occurs 11 times in the Qur’an. For example: {Then Adam received from his Lord [some] words, and He accepted his repentance. Indeed, it is He Who is the Accepting of Repentance, the Ever-Merciful.} [Sūrat Al-Baqarah: 37] And {Then exalt [Him] with praise of your Lord and ask forgiveness of Him. Indeed, He is the Accepting of repentance.} [Sūrat Al-Nasr: 3]In light of this great name, I would say:
- Always remember that the one who is most worthy of praise, laudation, and extolment is Allah Almighty. We cannot extend enough praise to Him; indeed, He is as He has praised Himself. Praise your Lord for His acceptance of repentance from His servants and His vast forgiveness and pardon. {It is He Who accepts repentance from His servants and forgives sins and knows all what you do.} [Sūrat Al-Shūra: 25]
- When we contemplate how Allah Almighty generously accepts repentance from His servants, we feel love for Him and our despair goes away for He is the Most Beloved One. {And if not for the favor of Allah upon you and His mercy, and because Allah is accepting of Repentance, All-Wise.} [Sūrat Al-Nūr: 10]
- O sinner, and we all do sin, implore Allah Almighty to make you incline to sincere repentance without delay and ask Him to accept it from you. Remember Allah’s favor upon the three persons who lagged behind, as He forgave them. {And [He also forgave] the three who stayed behind [and regretted their error] to the point that the earth became constrained on them in spite of its vastness and their souls confined them and they were certain that there is no refuge from Allah except in Him. Then He turned to them so they could repent. Indeed, Allah is the Accepting of Repentance, Ever-Merciful.} [Sūrat Al-Tawbah: 118]
- Consider the Prophet’s statement: “All human beings are sinners, and the best of sinners are those who frequently repent.”[1] And know that people are of two types, as revealed in Sūrat Al-Hujūrāt: {And whoever does not repent – then it is those who are the wrongdoers.} So, they are either forgiven repentant ones or deprived wrongdoers.
- Remember what the scholars rightly said: Repentance is a trait of the believer accompanying him in all stages of life and during his entire journey. Indeed, he will always do wrong things, no matter how pious he may be. Here is our Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), the dearest person in Allah’s sight, saying, “O people, repent to Allah and seek His forgiveness. Verily, I repent to Allah one hundred times a day.”[2]
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[1] Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi
[2] Narrated by Muslim