Fatwa ID: 08266
Answered by: Maulana Abdur-rahman Mohammad
Question:
I’ve been burdened by my past sins and right now I’m losing hope in myself whether I’d be able to repent or not, and whether Allah will accept my repentance. So, I started to miss my prayers on purpose when I was 15 because I was addicted to video games.
Before that, I sometimes would miss my prayers too but it got worse during lockdown. I was in a really bad state at that time. I was addicted to games, social media, and adultery and I delayed my ghusl (this is one of the reasons why I became lazy to pray too). Now I’m already 20, and honestly the guilt is burdening me.
I want to start to pray again but I often ended up praying at the last minute. And actually, when I was 18, I sort of got bored of video games, but I become attracted to non muslim actresses and I often watch their clips and videos. Sometimes, I would even watch it even though I haven’t prayed yet and ended up not praying. I think this is the effects of me being lazy to pray even before it.
I’m afraid, is my actions considered to be shirk? Because I choose to watch their drama and videos rather than to pray. 2. Also, I mentioned I’m afraid that what if Allah won’t accept my tawbah. It’s because previously I’ve consumed ill money, which is I obtained from cheating in exam and getting good grades and first place. I know it’s sinful but I still use that money. I’m currently not working yet but i really wanna return the money back to my old school if I got the chance.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
It is highly commendable that you care so deeply about your Deen and your relationship with Allah SWT and that you decided to reach out. This is a sign of a sincere heart and shows that you are headed in the right direction. May Allah make this trial easy for you and forgive your sins.
Don’t Lose Hope in the Mercy of Allah SWT
Nobody is perfect, we all make mistakes and are burdened with sin. We must never let these sins hold us back from repenting to Allah SWT and asking for His forgiveness, no matter how great or how many sins we have accumulated. Allah SWT says in the Quran
Say, ˹O Prophet, that Allah says,˺ “O My servants who have exceeded the limits against their souls! Do not lose hope in Allah’s mercy, for Allah certainly forgives all sins. He is indeed the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.[1]
It has been narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
Every son of Adam commits sin, and the best of those who commit sin are those who repent.[2]
No matter the quantity or the magnitude of our sins, we must keep on doing Tawbah and Istighfār and ask help from Allah SWT. Allah SWT forgives all sins besides Shirk and all we have to do is ask.
Repeated Sins
When a person sincerely repents, they should always have hope that Allah (SWT) will accept their repentance and forgive them, even if it is a repeated sin. Every time Allah SWT accepts Tawbah, that sin is wiped from their record. It has been narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
The one who repents from sin is like one who did not sin.[3]
Have hope in the mercy of Allah SWT and trust that Allah SWT will forgive you as long as you do sincere Tawbah. Have good thoughts and expectations from Allah SWT and trust that He will forgive you after making sincere Tawbah.
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Allah said, ‘I am to my slave as he thinks of Me, (i.e. I am able to do for him what he thinks I can do for him).’”[4]
Process of Tawbah[4]
Tawbah is leaving sin in one of many ways. In Islamic law [it is]:
- Abandoning the sin because of its ugliness
- Regretting having done it
- Resolving not to return to it
- Removing the injustice if it occurred, or seeking absolvement/forgiveness from the victim
Conclusion
Don’t lose hope in the mercy of Allah. Keep on doing sincere Tawbah and abundant Istighfār. Make frequent dua asking Allah SWT to forgive you, erase your sins, and make this trial easy. Whenever you relapse and repeat a sin, repeat the process of Tawbah and have hope that Allah SWT will forgive you. Try to surround yourself with good company and spend more time in the Masjid. Be consistent with your prayers and make up any missed prayers. Return the money you obtained dishonestly or its amount to the organization that provided it whenever you are able to. If returning it becomes difficult or impossible, donate the money or its amount to feeding the needy without the intention of reward. Make Tawbah for each sin you have committed and consider praying two Rakaats of Salāt At-Tawbah. Try to increase your good deeds to replace your bad deeds. Be sincere and consistent and have hope that Allah SWT accepts your Tawbah and Istighfār and forgives you. By doing so Insha Allah, Allah SWT will wipe these sins from your record and you will not find even a trace of these sins on the Day of Judgement.
Only Allah (عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ) knows best.
Written by Maulana Abdur-rahman Mohammad
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
References:
[1] قُلْ يَـٰعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا۟ مِن رَّحْمَةِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
(Surah Az-Zumar 39:53)
[2] حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مَنِيعٍ، حَدَّثَنَا زَيْدُ بْنُ الْحُبَابِ، حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ مَسْعَدَةَ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ : “ كُلُّ بَنِي آدَمَ خَطَّاءٌ وَخَيْرُ الْخَطَّائِينَ التَّوَّابُونَ ” .
(Sunan Ibn Majah 4251, Book 37, Hadith 152)
[3] حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ الدَّارِمِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الرَّقَاشِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا وُهَيْبُ بْنُ خَالِدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الْكَرِيمِ، عَنْ أَبِي عُبَيْدَةَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ : “ التَّائِبُ مِنَ الذَّنْبِ كَمَنْ لاَ ذَنْبَ لَهُ ”
[4] حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْيَمَانِ، أَخْبَرَنَا شُعَيْبٌ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الزِّنَادِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ “ قَالَ اللَّهُ أَنَا عِنْدَ ظَنِّ عَبْدِي بِي ”.
(Sahih al-Bukhari 7505, Book 97, Hadith 130)
[5] وَالتَّوْبَةُ تَرْكُ الذَّنْبِ عَلَى أَحَدِ الْأَوْجُهِ. وَفِي الشَّرْعِ: تَرْكُ الذَّنْبِ لِقُبْحِهِ، وَالنَّدَمُ عَلَى فِعْلِهِ، وَالْعَزْمُ عَلَى عَدَمِ الْعَوْدِ وَرَدُّ الْمَظْلِمَةِ إِنْ كَانَتْ أَوْ طَلَبُ الْبَرَاءَةِ مِنْ صَاحِبِهَا
(Fath Al-Barī, vol. 11, pg. 103, Al-Maktabah As-Salafiyyah)
