Page 86 - Basic Tenets of Islam

BASIC TENETS OF ISLAM

turn towards Allah. Allah informs us in the Qur'an that He
will forgive each person who sincerely repents of his sins,
that is, asks for forgiveness and remains firm in not

committing the same sin again:
But if anyone repents after his wrongdoing and puts
things right, Allah will turn towards him. Allah is Ever-
Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Surat al-Ma'ida: 39)
Allah is infinite in mercy. In a verse of the Qur'an, He
provides the good news to His servants, "...I am the Ever-
Returning, the Most Merciful" (Surat al-Baqara: 160). Every

individual has the opportunity to repent. Allah even
accepted the repentance of some Jews, who went astray and
worshipped an idol they made out of gold, after having
believed in Him, and forgave them:
And when Moses said to his people, "My people, You
wronged yourselves by adopting the Calf so turn
towards your Maker and kill your own (guilty) selves.
That is the best thing for you in your Maker's sight."
And He (Allah) turned towards you. He is the Ever-
Returning, the Most Merciful. (Surat al-Baqara: 54)

After repentance and asking for Allah's forgiveness, a
person may well again become heedless, committing the same
sin again. In fact, this may happen many times over. However,
provided that that person repents once and for all, and is
committed to not sin again, he may hope for Allah's mercy.
Nevertheless, as it is in every issue, the important factor
is sincerity. An insincere action is unacceptable in Allah's

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