Repentance And Its Corollaries.

Salaam everyone,
Recall that repentance (Tawbah) is the first station of pilgrims on the Way to the Truth, just as purification (taharat) is the first step of those who desire to serve Almighty God. Allah, Most High, says in the Holy Qur'an:-- "O Believers, repent unto God with a sincere repentance"(66:8); and the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:--"There is nothing that Allah loves more than a youth who repents", and he also said:- "He who repents of sin is even as one who has no sin", then he added, Peace be upon him, "When Allah loves a man, sin shall not hurt him"--ie he will not become an infidel on account of sin, and his faith will not be impaired.

Tawbah involves the turning back from what Allah Ta'ala has forbidden through fear of what He has commanded. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: -"Penitence is the act of returning" (al-nadam al-tawbah). This saying comprises 3 things involved in Tawbah, namely:-- 1) Remorse for Disobedience 2) Immediate abandonment of sin 3) Determination not to sin again.

As repentence (tawbah) involves these 3 conditions, so contrition (nadamat) may also be done to 3 causes:-- 1) Fear of Divine chastisement and sorrow for evil actions 2) Desire of Divine favour and certainty that it cannot be gained by evil conduct and disobedience 3) Shame before Allah, Most High.