[Ramzan, 21] Welcome to the Day 21 of our Ramzan Series.

Today’s prompt is submitted by Afsheen Umar.

Today’s topic is taw’bah, or repentance.

When an unknown burden accompanies you all the time and makes your heart and soul restless, when you have everything around that can make a person happy yet you don’t feel that joy, when this feeling of carrying a burden and sadness is prevailing, know that your Creator is calling you towards Taw’bah.

The word Taw’bah has an Arabic origin and it literally means ‘to return’. The meaning of this beautiful word says it all. Taw’bah is the regret that arises in our hearts after committing a sin.

? Following points validate a Taw’bah:
i) Shunning that sin
ii) Firmly keeping yourself away from comitting the sin again
iii) Controlling your NAFS when it urges for that sin.

Taw’bah has a beginning and an end. It begins from the light that arises in the heart (Noor-e-Ma’rifat). This is the light of divine recognition. Once the person repents and does not commit the sin gain then perfection of Taw’bah has been acquired. This is the end (Intehaa)

? Sunnah way to perform Taw’bah:

Abu Dawood (1521) narrated that Abu Bakr Siddique (May Allah be pleased with him) said:

I heard the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W) say: ‘There is no one who commits a sin then purifies himself well and stands and prays two rak’ahs, then ask Allah for forgiveness, but Allah will forgive him’ then he recited this verse: ‘And those who, when they have committed Fahishaah (illegal sexual intercourse) or wronged themselves with evil, remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their sins; and none can forgive their sins but Allah – and don’t persist in what (wrong) they have done, while they know’ [Aal ‘Imran 3:135].”
(Classes as Sahih by AL-Abaani in Sahih Abi Dawood.)

Allah loves those who commit sins and then repent with all their heart. Taw’bah is to remember Allah and purify your heart and soul. So, let’s make Taw’bah in this holy month of Ramadan and free ourselves from the burden of sins.

May Almighty Allah accepts our sincere Taw’bah and guide us towards right path.

Ameen.