I have read on your website that a repenting person should hope that his repentance will be accepted but he cannot be sure it will be accepted. Can one hope his repentance may be accepted if he disbelieved then returned to Islam and asked for Allah’s forgiveness, especially that his apostasy was due to practicing witchcraft? If the answer is that he should just hope, then is he hoping that his repentance is accepted similar to the doubt in hypocrites’ hearts especially that this doubt is regarding faith, not regarding repentance being accepted or not of any sin but disbelieving. Please answer my question quickly; I am too afraid that, by Allah, I cannot sleep.
Praise be to Allaah.
If a person falls into kufr or apostasy, then repents to Allaah and comes to Islam sincerely, Allaah will accept his repentance and turn his bad deeds into good deeds, as He has promised, and Allaah does not break His promise.
It is not right for a person to doubt this. A number of scholars have clearly stated that repentance from kufr is definitely accepted, unlike repentance from sins, as some said it is definitely accepted and some said it may or may not be accepted.
Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in Sharh Muslim: The repentance of the kaafir from his kufr is definitely accepted, but is any other kind of repentance definitely accepted or likely to be accepted? There is a difference of opinion among Ahl al-Sunnah concerning that, and Imam al-Haramayn was of the view that it is likely, and this is the more correct view. And Allaah knows best. End quote.
Al-‘Iraqi said in Tarh al-Tathreeb (8/40): Repentance expiates for major sins, and there is consensus on that. But is its expiation definite or likely? With regard to repentance from kufr, it is definite, but with regard to other major sins, the scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah disagreed. Al-Nawawi said: The strongest view is that it is likely. The Mu’tazilah were of the view that repentance should be accepted on the basis of reason (as it was their way to refer everything to reason).
Abu’l-‘Abbaas al-Qurtubi said: What I say is that the one who studies sharee’ah on the basis of Qur'aan and Sunnah, and follows what is in them with regard this topic knows for certain that Allaah accepts the repentance of those who are sincere. End quote.
Ibn ‘Ashoor said in al-Tahreer wa’l-Tanweer (1/914): The scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah fall into two groups: One group is of the view that repentance is definitely accepted because there are reports to support that. The large number of reports indicates that this is definitive. End quote.
To sum up: the one who repents from kufr and apostasy should be optimistic, because Islam erases whatever came before it, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to ‘Amr ibn al-‘Aas (may Allaah be pleased with him): “Do you not know that Islam destroys whatever came before it?” Narrated by Muslim (121).
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“How shall Allaah guide a people who disbelieved after their Belief and after they bore witness that the Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) is true and after clear proofs had come unto them? And Allaah guides not the people who are Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers).
87. They are those whose recompense is that on them (rests) the Curse of Allaah, of the angels, and of all mankind.
88. They will abide therein (Hell). Neither will their torment be lightened, nor will it be delayed or postponed (for a while).
89. Except for those who repent after that and do righteous deeds. Verily, Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful”
[Aal- ‘Imraan 3:86-89]
This includes one whose kufr involved the practice of witchcraft. If he repents to Allaah, Allaah will accept his repentance. This is a matter that is between him and his Lord. As for acceptance of the magician’s repentance in this world, that is subject to further discussion, as has been explained in the answer to question no. 69914.
With regard to hoping that repentance is accepted without being certain of it, that has to do with repentance from sins that are less serious than kufr. This means that the person still fears that his repentance may not have been accepted, but he hopes that his Lord will accept it. That does not mean that he should doubt that his faith is accepted or that his doubt is like the doubt of the hypocrites, rather he is certain of his faith, but he fears that Allaah may punish him for his sins if He does not accept his repentance.
What you should do is turn to Allaah and keep yourself busy with obeying and worshipping Him, and think positively of Him. You should know that He accepts those who repent to Him and He honours those who obey Him, and He loves those who seek His forgiveness; He rejoices over those who come back to Him, and He draws them close to Him and grants them happiness and opens their hearts and fills their hearts with light; He endears to them obedience and remembrance of Him. So strive to be one of them, and do not pay any attention to the whispers of the shaytaan, because he wants to put people off from repenting and make them despair, so that they will carry on in their misguidance. He says to people: how can Allaah accept your repentance when you did such and such? Why make it hard on yourself when you are going to be rejected anyway? This is part of his lies and tricks and misguidance. Allaah is more merciful towards His slave than a mother is towards her child. Hence He has made it easy to repent and has increased the reward of the penitent, and He stretches forth His hand by night to accept the repentance of the one who sinned during the day, and He stretches forth His hand during the day to accept the repentance of the one who sinned during the night.
So repent to Allaah and be optimistic of goodness and success.
May Allaah increase us and you in guidance, help, prosperity and success.
And Allaah knows best.
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