Points about Repentance and Returning to God
Here are some points about repentance and returning to God:
1- Those who are afraid of death should realize that the path to repentance is open and God is compassionate and merciful. In the Quran, God is introduced as Rahman, Rahim, Ghaffar, Ghafour, and Wadud some 300 times. These attributes highlight God’s mercy and forgiveness.
So with a firm decision and by returning to God, one can make up for all his mistakes and wrongdoings and be sure that God will accept his repentance, as God says: “(He is) the Forgiver of sins and the Acceptor of repentance,” (Verse 3 of Surah Ghafir) and that “God loves those who repent.” (Verse 222 of Surah Al-Baqarah)
2- Repentance is not just a moral recommendation but it is a necessary duty as the Quran on seven occasions has commanded all people to repent.
3- Repentance should be immediate and without delay. Repenting at the time of death or when receiving God’s punishment will not have any use because everyone will be forced to repent at the time of danger but it is not based on awareness and true regret. Pharaoh repented as he was drowned, but it was in vain.
The Quran says: “And when they saw Our Might, they said: ‘We believe in Allah alone, and we disbelieve in that we used to associate with Him.’ But when they saw Our Might their belief did not benefit them! It is the way of Allah that has passed concerning His worshipers. There, the unbelievers shall be lost.” (Verses 84-85 of Surah Ghafir)
It also says in Verse 18 of Surah An-Nisa: “(Allah will accept) no repentance from those who do evil deeds until death comes to one of them, he says: ‘Now I repent!’ Nor those who die unbelieving. For those We have prepared a painful punishment.”
Repentance is not for those who have committed many crimes and remain neglectful until the moment of death and just at the moment, when they see death is serious, they decide to repent.
4- As said before, repentance for every sin is according to the sin itself. For example, if someone has not said his obligatory prayers, his repentance is compensating for them. Or if someone has violated others’ rights, he must apologize to them and try to secure their contentment.
5- The outcome of repentance is not just forgiveness for sins. According to Hadiths, repentance has other good outcomes as well:
A- Life becomes sweet. “And ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him. He will give you enjoyment till a stated term and will give of His Bounty to those of grace.” (Verse 3 of Surah Hud)
B- The sins and wrongdoings are turned into virtues. “He who repents and believes and does good works those, Allah will change their evil deeds into good deeds; Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful.” (Verse 70 of Surah Al-Furqan)
C- Repentance causes to bring more divine mercy and blessings: “My nation, ask your Lord to forgive you and turn to Him in repentance. From the sky He will loose an abundance (of rain) upon you; He will add strength to your strength. Do not turn away as sinners.” (Verse 52 of Surah Hud)
D- It will bring divine sustenance and aid: “’Ask for forgiveness of your Lord,’ I said. ‘Surely, He is the Forgiver. He will let loose the sky upon you in abundance and give to you wealth and sons, and provide you with gardens and rivers.’” (Verses 10-12 of Surah Nuh)
6- Just as real repentance has so many benefits, pretending to repent is as if one is mocking God.
Imam Baqir (AS) said that if someone insists on committing sins while repenting frequently, he is like someone who does an act of mockery.
