Book - I want to tawba

 Salam Alaikum,

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In this article, I want to summarize for you the book 'I Want to Tawba' from the famous website: Islam Question & Answer 

I want to tawba

The book begins with an introduction about repentance, and how Allah has divided the servants into the repentant and the wrongdoers. 

This is mentioned in His saying: { And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed. } [An-Nur] and also, { And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers } [Al-Hujurat].

Sins became widespread and corruption spread, to the extent that no one remained untainted by evil deeds except those whom Allah protected. However, Allah refuses anything but the completion of His light. Thus, many arose from their negligence and slumber, feeling their shortcomings in fulfilling their duties towards Allah. They regretted their neglect and disobedience, directing their steps towards the paths of repentance. Others grew weary of a life filled with misery and the hardship of living, and now they are seeking their way out of darkness into the light.

However, those repenting to Allah encounter a set of obstacles which they believe stand between them and repentance. Some of these are internal, within the self, and others are in the surrounding reality. For this reason, the author of the book 'I Want to Tawba' wrote this message, which contains the dangers of belittling sins, an explanation of the conditions of repentance, then psychological treatments, and fatwas (Islamic legal opinions) for the repentant supported by evidence from the Holy Quran and the Sunnah, the words of the scholars, and a conclusion.

The Danger of Belittling Sins:

The author acknowledges that Allah the Almighty has commanded His servants to be sincere in repentance, as stated in His saying: { O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance } [At-Tahrim].

The author mentions the calamity of today, noting that many people nowadays do not fear Allah with true reverence. They disobey Him with various sins day and night. Some are afflicted with trivializing sins. You may hear someone say, "What harm does a look or a handshake from a foreign woman do?"

Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: "Indeed, you perform deeds which seem more insignificant to you than a strand of hair, yet we used to count them as destructive sins in the presence of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)." The destructive sins are those that lead to ruin.

Ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "A believer sees his sins as if he were sitting under a mountain, fearing that it might fall on him. Whereas, a wicked person sees his sins as flies passing by his nose, and he just waves them away with his hand."

The author advises those in this state: Do not look at the smallness of the sin, but look at whom you have disobeyed.

These words, God willing, will benefit the truthful ones, those who feel guilt and shortcoming. It is for those who believe in His saying: { [O Muhammad], inform My servants that it is I who am the Forgiving, the Merciful. } [Al-Hijr], as well as His saying: { And that it is My punishment which is the painful punishment. }' [Al-Hijr].

The Conditions of Repentance and its Complements:

The word 'repentance' is a significant term, having deep meanings, not as many believe, merely utterances by the tongue followed by continuing in sin. Reflect upon the saying of the Almighty: {And seek your Lord’s forgiveness and turn to Him in repentance. } [Hud].

You will find that repentance is something additional to seeking forgiveness.

The conditions of repentance include:

Immediate cessation of the sin.

Feeling remorse over what has passed.

Determination not to return to the sin.

Restoring the rights of those wronged, or seeking their forgiveness.

The author explains these four conditions in detail.

Additionally, the author mentions other details about the conditions of repentance agreed upon by scholars.

The author also discusses the harms of sins from the book 'The Disease and the Cure' by Ibn Al-Qayyim, may God have mercy on him, which include: [The harms of sins] include ignorance, a feeling of isolation in the heart, difficulties in matters, weakening of the body, deprivation of blessings, scarcity of provision, constriction of the chest, the emergence of faults, the burden of sins, the sinner being belittled in the sight of God, his degradation among people, being cursed by animals, dressing in humiliation and distance from the heart, falling under God's curse, prevention of prayers being answered, corruption on land and sea, the absence of light and barriers to solutions, the loss of blessings, the descent of calamities, fear in the heart of the disobedient, falling into the captivity of Satan, a bad ending, and punishment in the hereafter.

I want to tawba

In conclusion, this book, 'I Want to Tawba,' is considered one of the best books that makes you confident in yourself and in your Lord, and how Allah forgives all sins, great and small, through proper repentance that fulfills its conditions."