Sincere Repentance; Best Way for Returning to God

TEHRAN (IQNA) – Man has been surrounded by many sins that keep him away from God and spirituality. That leads man to confusion and losing the true objective of life. The only way to get out of this situation and reach salvation is returning to God.

According to Surah At-Tahrim of the Holy Quran, the best way for returning to God is true repentance.

At-Tahrim is the 66^th Surah of the Quran that has 12 verses and is in the 28^th Juz. It is Madani and the 108^th chapter of the Quran revealed to the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

The name of the Surah comes from the word Tahrim (forbidding, banning) mentioned in the first verse. It refers to the Prophet’s (PBUH) vow to ban for himself something that is Halal, seeking the pleasure of his wives.

“O Prophet, why do you forbid that which Allah has made lawful to you. Do you seek to please your wives? Allah is the Forgiving, the Most Merciful.” (Verse1)

God then calls on believers to protect themselves and their family from the fire of hell and remember that they will be rewarded for the good deeds they do in this world.

The Surah also encourages sinners to repent and return to God.

In this chapter, Nasuh (sincere repentance) is mentioned as the best repentance. It is a full repentance with no return to sin. The phrase Nasuh repentance, mentioned only in this Surah, is a term that has a special place in Islamic culture.

Nasuh repentance means trying to find the best path that will serve one’s interests. It is based on Ikhlas (purity of intention). It is a repentance that will purify one and prevent him or her from returning to sin.  

In the verses of Surah At-Tahrim, the wives of Noah (AS) And Lot (AS) are mentioned as two unbelievers while the wife of pharaoh is a referred to as an example of a good and pious believer who is the wife of an unbeliever. It also mentions a believing woman who has no husband (Mary (SA)).

It seems that these examples are mentioned so that believers do not get surprised at unsuitable deeds that wives of prophets might do.

It can also be assumed that family relationship cannot guarantee one’s salvation just as being the wife of Noah (AS) and Lot (AS) did not save those women. On the other hand, the wife of pharaoh, because of her pure character and conduct, reached salvation and Mary (SA), who has no husband, reached a sublime status and became a role model for believers due to her faith and purity.