Can the Worst of People Become Good?

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

On what basis do we consider someone a good or bad person? I know that people and actions are judged by their endings. I also understand that the one who repents is like someone who has never sinned in the first place.

However, if someone is one of the worst people ever, do they become a good person once they repent?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.

Islamically, there is no sin or sins, no matter how bad, evil, or vile, that one should lose hope in Allah’s forgiveness and mercy.

A person can become good in the eyes of Allah Most High according to the level of his sincerity of repentance to Allah and sincerity of forgiveness from fellow human beings and being forgiven by them, e.g., by returning the rights or property one wrongly took, etc.

Allah Most High says, “Say, (O Prophet, that Allah says,) ‘O My servants who have exceeded the limits against their souls! Do not lose hope in Allah’s mercy, for Allah certainly forgives all sins. He is indeed the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.’” [Quran, 39:53] [Bajuri, Tuhfat al-Murid]

What Basis Do We Consider Someone Good or Bad?

It is a good question, but it is difficult to judge whether a person is being good or bad. A person who regularly repents sincerely; however, one does not know about a person about it. So, on a practical side, a person who keeps the company of the pious and righteous is considered to be in good company, and someone who keeps the company of the wrong is otherwise. However, only Allah Most High knows the hearts and moments of nearness or remoteness and when a person can turn to Him or Allah turning to him with closeness and forgiveness. See the link below for a detailed explanation.

May Allah (Most High) make us from those who regularly repent, seek forgiveness, hate past sins, are concerned about sinning in the future, and be genuine and truthful always to word and deed, Amin.

I would like you to go through the valuable answers and links below. You will receive guidance and direction in sha Allah.

Related:

• Belief in Destiny, It’s Good and Evil – Shaykh Nuh Keller – Sea Without Shore
• Good Opinion – The Path of Muhammad: Birgivi’s Manual of Taqwa Explained [Video]
• Forgiving Major Sins and the Hadith of the Prostitute Who Gives Water to the Thirsty Dog
• How Do You Know If Your Repentance Is Sincere?
• Sincere Repentance Archives
• A Reader on Tawba (Repentance)
• Prayer of Repentance: Salat al-Tawba
• Reminder on the Righteous Servants of Allah [Video]

Why not begin your search for knowledge by signing up for a course on SeekersGuidance, like Spirituality: Attaining Taqwa: Birgivi’s Tariqa Muhammadiyya?

I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally trained scholar who has studied in the UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey. He started his early education in the UK. He went on to complete the hifz of the Quran in India, then enrolled in an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied the secular and ‘Aalimiyya sciences. He then traveled to Karachi, Pakistan. He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for several years. He has taught hifz of the Quran, Tajwid, Fiqh, and many other Islamic sciences to children and adults onsite and online extensively in the UK and Ireland. He taught at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK, where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences. He currently resides in the UK with his wife. His interest is a love of books and gardening.