Acceptance of Taubah after Zinah
Question:-
If a person committed Zina with a non-Muslim, and asked Allah for forgiveness with sincerity, will he be forgiven through the Mercy of Allah? What is the sign of his Taubah being accepted?
Answer:-
The Quraan Sharif states,
نَبِّىءْ عِبَادِي أَنِّي أَنَا الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ وَ أَنَّ عَذَابِي هُوَ الْعَذَابُ الأَلِيمَ
(Allah announces) Inform My bondsmen that I am certainly the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful (I shall forgive all sins when My bondsman repents sincerely)……and (inform them also) that (they should not let Shaytaan deceive them into thinking that they can continue sinning and repent later because) My punishment is definitely a most painful punishment (and they should never risk suffering My punishment).
These verses clearly indicate that Allah Ta’ala is Most Forgiving, but this in no way means that one should transgress the limits of Shariah, as the punishment of Allah Ta’ala is most painful. If a person commits an error and he is remorseful over his actions, and he repents with a genuine intention of not returning to the error in the future, then there is hope that he will be forgiven.
Another verse states,
قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَى أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِن رَّحْمَةِ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
Say, “O My bondsmen who have wronged their souls (by committing Kufr or other sins)! Never lose hope of Allah’s mercy (so do not abstain from seeking forgiveness thinking that you will not be forgiven). Verily, Allah forgives all sins (that are free of Kufr and Shirk). Undoubtedly, He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.”
In conclusion, one should not become despondent of the mercy of Allah Ta’ala, as He is always ready to forgive His servants with the proviso that, one is remorseful, he refrains from committing the evil, and he makes a firm resolution not to return to the evil in future.
The sign of one’s Taubah being accepted is that one abandons all forms of sin and makes an effort to please Allah Ta’ala by performing their Salaah, fasting in the month of Ramadaan, discharging their Zakaat correctly, fulfilling their obligation of Hajj, reciting Quraan Sharif daily, engaging in all forms of Zikrullah, remaining in the company of the righteous and pious, or establishing a spiritual relationship with them, etc. In short, if one reforms and becomes a better person, then this is an indication of one’s Taubah being accepted.
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 08 Dhul Qa’dah 1444 / 29 May 2023