By: Adedeji Monsurat Adenike
One of the greatest blessings a believer can receive is the opportunity to repent. Many sinners pass away without turning back to Allah, and many others die astray before seeking forgiveness. If Allah has guided someone to repentance, it is a profound mercy and a fresh start to renew their faith and commitment to obedience.
But does Allah truly forgive all sins? Some may have heard that certain sins are unforgivable or that prayers and fasting are not accepted from those who have committed major sins. Such claims are false and contradict the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah. In reality, Allah’s mercy encompasses all sins—no matter how great or numerous—as long as one sincerely repents.
The Quranic Proof of Allah’s Merc
Allah explicitly reassures His servants in the Qur’an:
“Say: O My slaves who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Do not despair of the Mercy of Allah. Verily, Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Surah Az-Zumar 39:53)
This verse is a direct statement from Allah that all sins can be forgiven, provided that one sincerely repents.
In another passage, Allah highlights the severity of major sins such as shirk (associating partners with Him), murder, and fornication. Despite their gravity, He still opens the door to forgiveness:
“And those who invoke not any other god along with Allah, nor kill such a person as Allah has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse—and whoever does this shall receive the punishment. The torment will be doubled for him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein in disgrace;
Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous deeds; for those, Allah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Surah Al-Furqan 25:68-70)
This verse not only confirms that Allah forgives all sins—including shirk—but also demonstrates His immense generosity in transforming past transgressions into good deeds for the sincere repentant.
The Power of Repentance
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) explained that no sin is too great for Allah to forgive, provided one repents sincerely. This is further reinforced in the hadith literature.
The Story of the Man Who Killed 100 People
A famous narration recorded in Sahih Muslim and Sahih Bukhari tells of a man who had murdered 99 people. Seeking forgiveness, he approached a monk who wrongly told him that there was no hope for him. In his frustration, he killed the monk, making his count 100. However, upon consulting a scholar, he was advised that nothing stands between a sinner and repentance. The scholar guided him to travel to a righteous land to seek Allah’s forgiveness. Though he died on the way, Allah, in His mercy, accepted his repentance and allowed him to be counted among the righteous.
This story illustrates that even the most heinous sins can be forgiven through sincere repentance.
Allah’s Promise of Forgiveness
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) conveyed Allah’s words in a hadith qudsi:
“O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you and I would not mind.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi
Additionally, he said:
“The one who repents from sin is like one who did not sin.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)
This hadith emphasizes that sincere repentance not only leads to forgiveness but completely erases the sin as if it had never occurred.
How to Attain Allah’s Forgiveness
Repentance (Tawbah) is a simple yet powerful act that requires three essential conditions:
1.Sincere Regret – One must genuinely feel remorse for their past sins.
2.Immediate Abandonment of the Sin – True repentance requires an immediate cessation of the sinful act.
3.Firm Determination Not to Return to the Sin – A sincere intention to never commit the sin again is essential.
If the sin involved the rights of another person, an additional step is required: one must seek forgiveness from the wronged person or make amends.
A Call to Hope and Worship
Allah’s mercy is vast, and His forgiveness is beyond human comprehension. He does not need His creation, yet He rejoices in their repentance. The doors of mercy remain open, and no matter how far one has strayed, they can always return to Him.
Let this serve as a reminder to seek Allah’s forgiveness frequently, strive in worship, and remain hopeful in His boundless mercy.
May Allah grant us sincerity in our repentance, keep us steadfast in His worship, and accept us among those who turn to Him with pure hearts.
And Allah knows best.
