Taubah

It is mentioned in a Hadeeth that when a person seeks forgiveness from a sin, it is as if he did not commit that sin at all. (Ibn Maajah volume2 pg1419 Hadeeth4250).  Allah Taa’la says in the Qur’aan: Say, “O my servants who have wronged their souls! Never lose hope in Allah’s Mercy. Verily, Allah forgives all sins; undoubtedly He is the Most Forgiving, Most Merciful. 

At the time of seeking forgiveness (Tawbah) keep the following points in mind:

* You should not be involved in the sin any longer at the time of making Tawbah.
* You should have genuine regret and remorse over your sins.
* You should make a firm intention that you will not return to that sin again.

Any sin, irrespective of how big it is, is forgiven through making Tawbah. Turn towards Allah Taa’la and He will turn towards you. A person should always immediately resort to Tawbah after having committed a sin. Sins are forgiven and cleared from one’s name through sincere Tawbah. Sincere Tawbah will be when one abides by the three points mentioned above in the previous paragraph. If a person has the means, he should also give out some Sadaqah, as Sadaqah extinguishes the Wrath of Allah Taa’la.

You should also perform two Rakaats with the intention of Salaatut-Tawbah and after the Salaah recite Istighfaar (Astaghfirullah, etc.) in abundance. Thereafter make Du’aa and seek repentance. Repent from all sins, those committed knowingly or unknowingly. Ask Allah Taa’la to assist you in warding off sin. When repenting after the Salaatut-Tawbah, shed tears over your sins; and if you can’t shed tears, at least adopt the stance of a crying person.