Conditions for making Tawbah

Q 6: If a Muslim desists from committing the sins they used to commit, what are the conditions that should be met for Tawbah (repentance to Allah) to be accepted? What is your advice for those who commit sins, so that they might perform Tawbah before their death and not regretfully lose everything?

A: First, they should perform sincere Tawbah, regret their past sins, and resolve not to commit them again. If it is a material thing, such as money, they should return the rights to their owners. If it is something that cannot be returned, they should ask them for forgiveness, supplicate to Allah for them and honor them.Second, we recommend that they recite the Qur'an, the Hadiths of encouragement and admonition, remember the Hereafter and its terrors, befriend righteous people, and keep away from those who do evil, so that they might perform Tawbah and Istighfar (seeking forgiveness from Allah), and refrain from sins they are tempted to commit. (Part No. 24; Page No. 298) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.