AsSalaam Alkuim,
The word tawba is a Quranic Arabic word translated as “ a retreat” or “a return”. In the Quran and Hadith both tawba is referred to as an act of leaving what Allah has prohibited and a return to what Allah has commanded.
A sincere repentance.
The Quran and Hadith both repeatedly mention the act of atoning for one’s misdeeds. Denoting the act of repentance of one’s misdeeds, atoning for one's misdeeds,and having a strong determination to forsake these misdeeds.
Tawba is regarded as a major way to rectifying one’s life.
Tawba is mentioned several times in the Quran:
Surah 66:08, 24:31, 2:222, 4:17-18, 25:60-71 and Surah 9 is named Tawbah.
Examples of Tawba in The Hadith:
Allah's apostle said, "Every son of Adam sins, the best of the sinners are those who repent."
— Sunan al Tirmidhi Hadith no. 2499
Allah's apostle said,"By Him in Whose Hand is my life, if you were not to commit sin, Allah would sweep you out of existence and He would replace (you by) those people who would commit sin and seek forgiveness from Allah, and He would have pardoned them."
— Sahih Muslim 37:6621
Allah's Apostle said, "Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His slave than anyone of you is pleased with finding his camel which he had lost in the desert."
— Sahih al Bukhari 8:75:321
Tawba should only be made to your Creator Allah. Being a Muslim we understand that no man, woman, child or creation can be prayed to for forgiveness. Repenting to any other besides Allah is forbidden and is referred to as Shirk.
Conditions for Tawba:
- To regret one’s past evil deeds;
- To carry out Divine duties (fard, wajib etc.) that were missed;
- To return the rights/properties of others that were usurped unjustly;
- To ask forgiveness of a person who has been wronged by him, physically or verbally;
- To make a firm resolve of avoiding the sin in future; and
- To employ oneself in Allah’s obedience, as he previously employed himself in Allah’s disobedience.
