What is Taubah?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

We take note of your similarity between making Tawba and taking part in the exams. However, there is a difference between making Tawba and taking part in the exams. In Tawba, the focus is on seeking forgiveness from Allah Ta’ala who is Ar-Rahman (Absolutely Merciful), Ar-Raheem (Extremely Merciful). He is At-Tawaab (The one who accepts forgiveness). If one fulfils the conditions for a sincere Tawba, he can be rest assured that he will be forgiven. It is not a case of a chance. Our belief in Allah Ta’ala is As-Shakoor (Most Appreciative). He will never reject the sincere forgiveness of His slaves. If one regards his Tawba to be like an exam, that leads to despondency. A Muslim is never despondent when he turns to Allah Ta’ala with sincerity. Allah Ta’ala says:

قُلْ يَاعِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِنْ رَحْمَةِ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ (الزمر: 53)

Translation: Say (O Prophet): (Allah declares to humanity) O My beloved servants! Those (of you) who have committed (sins in great) excess against their own souls, never despond of the mercy of Allah! For, indeed, Allah forgives the sins, one and all. Indeed, it is He (alone) who is All-Forgiving, the Mercy-Giving. (Az-Zumar V.53)

Allah Ta’ala is unlike an examination of a diploma degree. An examination has an order to determine passing a student. Allah Ta’ala on the other hand is Ar-Rahman, Ar-Raheem and As-Shakoor. He values the sincere repentance of His sincere slaves. If a person falls short of full sincerity, Allah Ta’ala in His mercy may still forgive as we have conviction that Allah Ta’ala is Most Appreciative and Most Merciful.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Mahmood Suliman

Student Darul Iftaa
Gaborone, Botswana

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.