Definition and conditions of Tawbah

Q: I am fifteen years old and I have been performing the obligatory Salah (Prayer) regularly since I was ten years old. However, I want to make more Tawbah (repentance to Allah). How can I do so? Please tell me in detail about Tawbah as stated in the Qur'an.

A: Tawbah is giving up sinning and disobeying Allah (Exalted be He) either by committing something which is Haram (prohibited) or by abandoning something which is Wajib (obligatory). The following are the conditions of Tawbah:1. Abandoning the sin and giving it up.2. Feeling remorse for the sins that a person has committed in the past.3. Having a strong determination not to return to sin.Furthermore, if a person's sin relates to taking others' properties unjustly by means of usurpation, theft, or deception; it will be Wajib on this person to give the other people their due rights or to request them to waive their rights. Any way, it is Wajib on every Muslim to make continuous sincere Tawbah from all minor and major sins for Allah (Exalted be He) says in Surah (Qur'anic chapter) Al-Tahrim: O you who believe! Turn to Allâh with sincere repentance! It may be that your Lord will expiate from you your sins, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise) (Part No. 24; Page No. 304) Also, Imam Muslim related on the authority of Al-Aghar Al-Muzany who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: O people, repent to Allah and seek His forgiveness, for I repent one hundred times a day. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.