Ramadan and Forgiveness of Sins

Words of Allah:

An-Nisa:

But repentance is not [accepted] of those who [continue to] do evil deeds up until, when death comes to one of them, he says, "Indeed, I have repented now," or of those who die while they are disbelievers. For them We have prepared a painful punishment.

(4:18)

Words of Allah:

Ali- Imran

Indeed, those who reject the message after their belief and then increase in disbelief - never will their [claimed] repentance be accepted, and they are the ones astray.

(3:90)

Hadith:

Prophet of Allah  صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم  said:

Regret is repentance.

Ibn Majah:4252

Words of Allah:

Al-Ma'idah

Know that Allah is severe in penalty and that Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

(5:98)

Words of Allah:

As-Sajdah

They arise from [their] beds; they supplicate their Lord in fear and aspiration, and from what We have provided them, they spend.

(32:16)

It can be seen that those who are pious are fearful of Allah's  Wrath and Punishment while being hopeful of receiving Allah’s Mercy and Blessings.

Some religions way of Thinking:

If a person does not refrain from committing sins, thinking that he would be pardoned once he begs for forgiveness in the Night of Qadr, or is only hopeful of receiving Allah’s Mercy and is not afraid of Allah’s Wrath, then this is straying away from the straight path and from our Deen. This is similar to the Jewish way of thinking.

The Jews believe in Allah, Hereafter, in Jannah and Hell, in Angels and the Day of Judgement, yet they continue committing sins freely. It is because they believe that they are Allah’s favourite nation as most of the Prophets were sent to them. They believe that they are the children of Allah  (نعوذ باللہ), so how would Allah bear to throw them in Hell-fire?

Placing all their hopes in receiving Allah’s Mercy but not worrying about Allah’s Wrath has led them astray.

Remember!

You should never commit a sin with an intention to repent over it later. Because of this incorrect intention, your repentance would not be accepted.

Whose Repentance is Accepted?

Allah Accepts the repentance of all those who commit sins under the evil influence of Shaytaan or own’s own self, or because of ignorance or excitement, but the noteworthy point is that they do not commit sins with intention or plan. Once they have sinned, they regret it and become fearful of Allah’s Wrath. In such case, repentance would be accepted.

A person can never refrain from sins if he believes he would beg forgiveness for it later, or would perform good deeds later to make up for his sins. According to Quran, repentance of such people would not be accepted as they had committed sins with intention, defying Allah’s commands boldly.

What is Tawbah (repentance)?

Words of Allah:

Taha

But indeed, I am the Perpetual Forgiver of whoever repents and believes and does righteousness and then continues in guidance.

(20:82)

This ayah mentions three steps of Tawbah or repentance:

1. Repent: Refrain from sins and vow to stay away from all sins in future.
2. After repenting, stay on the path of righteousness and refrain from sins.
3. Regret over your past mistakes and sins.

Crying Over Sins:

O People! Cry over your sins! If you are unable to cry over your sins, at least make a face as if you are crying. The people of Hell would cry so much that no tears would be left. Then they would cry blood tears; so much that boats would be able to float in their blood tears.

Tabqat Ibn Saad

Is Repentance Accepted in Ramadan?

Hadith:

Prophet of Allah  صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم said:

Whoever fasted in Ramadan with Emaan (sincere Faith) and Ihtesaab (hoping for the rewards from Allah), then all of his past sins would be forgiven.

Sahih Bukhari:2014

This hadith shows the following conditions for the acceptance of repentance:

1. Emaan
2. Ihtesaab
3. Ijtenaab (Refraining from all sins and evil)

Words of Allah:

An-Nisa

If you avoid the major sins which you are forbidden, We will remove from you your lesser sins and admit you to a noble entrance [into Paradise].

(4:31)

Is it Necessary to Refrain from Sins to Enter Jannah?

Hadith:

 Abu Hurairah and Abu Sa'eed narrated: The Messenger of Allahصَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمaddressed us one day and said: 'By the One in Whose hand is my soul' three times then he lowered his head, and each of us lowered his head, weeping, and we did not know what he had sworn that oath about. Then he raised his head with joy on his face, and that was dearer to us than red camels. Then he said: 'There is no one who offers the five (daily) prayers, fasts Ramadan, pays Zakah and avoid the seven major sins, but the gates of Paradise will be opened to him, and it will be said to him: Enter in peace. '

Sunan Nisai:2440

This hadith shows the importance of refraining from sins.

Conclusion:

If we fulfill the three conditions of Emaan, Ihtesaab and Ijtenaab sincerely, then all our past sins would be forgiven, انشاء اللہ