Do I Have to Seek a Person’s Forgiveness or Just Repent on My Own?

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad

Question

I respect my parents and siblings, but if I can’t control my anger, I disrespect my parents or older siblings. Because I am shy and awkward, is repentance and making dua for them sufficient, or will I have to ask for the person’s forgiveness? What if the other person isn’t showing any signs of being hurt? Is repentance and making duas for them sufficient?

Answer

Thank you for your question. May Allah reward you for your sincere regret and your willingness to reform yourself.

‘Ubada Ibn al-Samit reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Whoever seeks forgiveness for the believing men and women, Allah will record a good deed for him by each man and woman.” [Tabarani, Musnad al-Shamiyyin]

You will find the answer to your question here:
Do I Have to Apologise to Those I’ve Wronged for Specific Matters?
Will Allah (Most High) Forgive Me If I Repent after Having Wronged Someone and They Have Cursed Me?
How to Repent When It Involves Rights of Others?

May Allah give you the best of this world and the next.
[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria, for two years, where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin and completed her Master’s in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan, where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.