TAWBAH OF FORNICATOR/ADULTERER
By Allama ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Bin Abdullah Bin Baz
Translated by: Dr. Abul Hayat Ashraf
Question:
Forced by temptations of Shaitan (Satan), I committed Zina whereas I know it very well that Zina is an extremely abominable crime. Now, I want to perform Tawbah (Repentance) before Allah, the Most High, Shall Allah, the Most High, accept my Tawbah? Be it known that I used to say that I will perform Tawbah after committing the Zina. Is some scope still remains there for my Tawbah?
Answer:
The door of Tawbah will remain open till the sun rises from the West. Allah, the Most High, accepts Tawbah of any person who performs a true Tawbah from Shirk (polytheism) or any other evil less grave than this.
Following conditions should necessarily be met for a true and loyal Tawbah (Repentence:)
- Complete avoidance of disobedience of Allah;
- Regret and repentance of previous disobediences of Allah;
- True determination of never repeating the same disobediences along with the fear, honour and hope of forgiveness and remission of Allah, the Most High;
As Allah, the Most High, has said: (“O you who believe! Turn to Allah with sincere repentance”)
Another place Allah, the Most High, said: (“And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful”) (Surah An-Noor;31)
Another place Allah, the Most High said: “Say: O My slaves, who have transgressed against themselves; Despair not of the Mercy of Allah: Verily, Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful)” (Surah Az-Zumar:53)
Islamic Scholars converge as this agreement that this gracious verse was revealed in favour of those people who seck Allah’s pardon and return toward the path of His pleasures.
Besides above three conditions, there is also a fourth condition to be met for a true Tawbah: If Tawbah is related to Huqoqul Ibad (Rights of the subjects of Allah), the persons who is seeking Tawbah, he should pay, the dues of people; for instance, if has usurped someone’s wealth, he should return it or he should get the dues waived by the concerned person. Because the Apostle of Allah (S.A.W.) has said: Who has done a wrong affecting his brother’s honour or anything else, let him ask his forgiveness today, before he will have neither silver or gold coin. If he has good deeds, the like amount of his wrong doing will be taken from him; and if he has got no good deeds, they will be taken on him”.
If is incumbent upon every Muslim that he helps aloof of Shirk (polytheism), means of polytheism and all other vices, because it may happen that he gets caught in them without regaining the good luck of performing Tawbah. This makes it apparent that it, is necessary to avoid all Haram (forbidden) things Now, he should continue to beseech Allah for his well-being. Neither a person should be lazy in dealing with Shaitan (Satan), nor he should commit misdeeds intending to perform Tawbah after the commitment Indeed, such an expectation is a great fraud of Shatan as well as a mean of involving in perpetuation of misdees. It may happen that such a person gets caught in punishments and loose every chance of performing Tawbah. At that time, there shall be nothing at hand except distress and remorse whereas even this remorse shall be useless. Allah, the Most High, has said:
(“And fear none but Me”) and another place Allah, the Most High, has said: (“And Allah warns you againt Himself (His punishment)” (Surah A’le Imran: 28)
Again another place Allah, the Most High has said: “O mankind! Verily, the Promise of Allah is true. So let not this present life deceive you, and let not the chief deceiver (Satan) deceive you about Allah. Surely, Shaitan is an enemy to you, so take (treat) him as an enemy. He only invites his Hizb (followers) that they may become the dwellers of the blazing Fire)” (Surah Fatir; 5-6). There are other verses too presenting the same meaning.