Repent Before It’s Too Late

Every human being makes mistakes. No one is truly clean from sin. However, the difference between a good person and a negligent person lies in how quickly he returns to Allah after falling into error.

The slightest sin is a stain that covers the light of the heart. It makes the heart dark, stiff, and far from feeling the pleasure of worship. However, the good news is: Allah does not close the door of forgiveness, no matter how big the sin is, as long as we want to return to Him.

Allah Exalted said,

Say, O My servants who commit disobedience against themselves, do not despair of Allah’s mercy. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, He is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful

“O My servants who are disobedient to themselves, do not despair of Allah’s mercy. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, He is Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (QS. Az-Zumar: 53)

This verse is like cold water for a soul thirsting for forgiveness. He embraced even the most sinful person, and said, “As long as you are alive, go home, the door is not closed.”

However, this verse also carries a gentle warning, viz do not delay repentance. Because time won’t wait for us to realize.

Allah awaits our repentance at all times

Rasulullah sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,

Allah SWT stretches out His hand at night so that people who sin during the day can repent, and He stretches out His hand during the day so that people who sin at night can repent, until the sun rises from the west.

“Indeed, Allah stretches out His hand at night so that those who sin during the day repent; and stretches out His hand during the day so that those who sin at night repent, until the sun rises from the west.” (HR. Muslim)

Imagine the God of the universe, who doesn’t need anything from us, waiting for us to return, day and night. Isn’t that an unimaginable form of affection?

God did not close the door. But humans are the ones who often shut themselves down by feeling lazy, by postponing, by saying “later”.

The story of a killer of a hundred souls

Rasulullah sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam tells an extraordinary story and this story is narrated by Bukhari and Muslim in Sahihain. There is someone who has killed 99 souls. He wanted to repent, so he asked a monk, “Is there a way of repentance for me?”

The monk answered, “Nothing.”

The man killed him, he killed a hundred people.

However, his heart was not dead. He asked again about the most pious people, and was shown a scholar. The cleric said, “Yes, there is still repentance for you! Who can prevent you from Allah’s mercy? But leave your country which is full of sin and go to another country whose people worship Allah.”

He left. But on the way, death overtook him. The angel of mercy and the angel of doom are at odds. Then, Allah ordered the earth to bring his body closer to the destination country. And because he was an inch closer to the land of repentance, Allah included him in His mercy.

Masha Allah… even the intention to repent has great value in the sight of Allah.

The danger of delaying repentance

Delaying repentance is the biggest form of self-deception. Rasulullah sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,

Allah accepts a servant’s repentance as long as he does not cheat

“Indeed, Allah accepts a servant’s repentance as long as his life has not reached his throat.” (HR. At-Tirmidhi)

Death gives no warning. It comes when we least expect it in the midst of laughter, in between plans, or even at the peak of worldly aspirations.

Conditions and signs of accepted repentance

The scholars explain that accepted repentance has several conditions:

1) An-Nadam (regret), namely regretting the sins that have been committed.

2) Tarked (Türkiye), namely leaving the sin immediately.

3) Al-Azm (torque), that is, firmly determined not to do it again.

4) If the sin is related to human rights, then it is mandatory to return these rights or apologize.

The priority of repentance in God’s eyes

Allah loves those who repent

Allah Story said,

Allah loves those who repent and loves those who are pure.

“Indeed, Allah loves those who repent and those who purify themselves.” (QS. Al-Baqarah: 222)

Any sin will be forgiven

Rasulullah sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,

People who repent from sins are like people who do not sin.

“A person who repents of sin is like a person who has no sin at all.” (HR. Ibn Majah)

Repentance elevates one’s status and changes sins into good deeds

Allah Story said,

From them, Allah will change their bad behavior into good. And Allah is Forgiving, Most Merciful.

“In this way, Allah will replace their bad deeds with good ones.” (qs. al-furqan: 70)

Repentance opens the door to grace and good fortune

Allah Story said,

And repent to Allah together, O you who believe, that you may succeed.

“Repent all of you to Allah, O believers, so that you may be successful.” (QS. An-Nur: 31)

Meaningless regret

Allah describes the regret of people who repent late in His words,

O my Lord, if only You would postpone me until the near future, so that I can give charity and be among the pious people.

“O my Lord, if You give me a little more time, I will surely give charity and be among the pious.” (QS. Al-Munafiqun: 10)

However, regret comes when the door to repentance is closed. Truly, there is no regret more painful than realizing the opportunity has passed forever.

It’s time to return to Allah

We don’t know when death will come. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe tonight. Therefore, don’t wait for “some time”, “later”, or “it’s old”. Repent now.

Repentance is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of spiritual awareness and courage. It is proof of love for Allah, proof that the heart is still alive. So, go home before it’s too late.

The tears of regret that fall today, could be our salvation on the last day.

O Allah, grant us sincere repentance, erase our sins, purify our hearts, and end our lives with a good ending.

“O Allah, accept our repentance with nasuha repentance. Erase our sins, purify our hearts, and close our lives with husnul khatimah.”

Wallahu ta’ala a’lam.

Also read: Is the repentance of a murderer accepted by God?

***

Writer: Gazzeta Raka Putra Setyawan

Article Muslim.or.id