Conditions and Types of Repentance
Tawbah should include an action that makes up for the sin, especially if that sin has social and widespread negative effects. For example, if someone conceals a fact that people should be aware of, his Tawbah should include revealing those facts.
God says in Verse 159 of Surah Al-Baqarah: “Those who hide the clear verses and the guidance We have sent down after We have clarified them in the Book for the people shall be cursed by Allah and cursed by the cursers.”
God says in the next verse: “Except those who repent, and mend (their deeds) and clarify. Those I shall accept them. I am the Receiver of repentance, the Most Merciful.”
In this verse, the Tawbah is proportionate with the type of the sin. There may be no verse in the Quran that is about Tawbah and does not mention a task along with Tawbah. For example, the Quran in several verses says Tawbu (they repent) and then says “Islahu” (they rectify). Examples are in verses 89 of Surah Al Imran, 5 of Surah An-Nur and 119 of Surah An-Nahl. So in addition to having regrets in heart, one must try to rectify what he has done wrong.
In Verse 146 of Surah An-Nisa, we read: “But those who repent and mend (their ways), who hold fast to Allah, and make their religion sincerely for Allah they are with the believers, and Allah will certainly give the believers a great wage.”
Hence, those who repent must mend their ways and prove their sincerity and show that they truly regret what they have done.
In some verses of the Quran like Verses 5 and 11 of Surah At-Tawbah, there are phrases like “establish prayers and pay Zakat” along with repentance. That is to say, the disbelievers who repent must say prayers and pay Zakat.
And in some verses, virtuous deeds and faith are mentioned as the condition for Tawbah.
Therefore, Tabwah is not just regret but also making up for mistakes and sins and restoring the rights of people and God. That would be true repentance.
