Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Weltch
Question
Allah says in the Quran “And those who guard their chastity…” and Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said in a hadith [Sahih ibn Hibban, 4252) that amongst three other things, if a woman guards her chastity she will enter paradise from any gate that she wishes.
Unfortunately, I’ve committed the sin of not safeguarding my chastity (I did not commit zina) and I have repented, but I’m still so upset that I didn’t safeguard my chastity.
Because I’ve repented, should I just forget about it? If I do all 4 things in the hadith I’ve mentioned above from now on, may I still enter Paradise from any gate?
I understand that Allah only knows the answer to that but I’m looking for some hope and guidance inshaAllah.
Has my sin disqualified me from the virtue mentioned in the Prophet narration, even though I have repented?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
If you have sincerely repented and continue your life in the obedience of Allah Most High, all the virtues mentioned in regard to obedience are attainable for you, by the Grace of Allah Most High.
Level of Sincerity
Furthermore, according to the level of sincerity of your repentance, Allah Most High may bless you with the changing of your sins into good deeds recorded for you. Allah Most High describes His righteous servants with the following:
Sins Changed to Good Deeds
Allah Most High says, “(They are) those who do not invoke any other god besides Allah, nor take a (human) life—made sacred by Allah—except with (legal) right, nor commit fornication. / And whoever does (any of) this will face the penalty. / Their punishment will be multiplied on the Day of Judgment, and they will remain in it forever, in disgrace. / As for those who repent, believe, and do good deeds, they are the ones whose evil deeds Allah will change into good deeds. For Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful. And whoever repents and does good has truly turned to Allah properly.” [Quran, 25:68-71]
Hope this helps
Allah knows best
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani