How Do I Sincerely Repent for an Enormity?
Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad
Question
I have committed quite a bad sin as a Muslim woman and I’m worried that the person might say something that could ruin my reputation, as he has a few mutual friends with me. I have repented but I have bad anxiety about it and I’m worried that my life is ruined because of this sin.
I know that’s not what Allah wants us to think. I have no control over what others say, so there’s nothing I can do at this point. But from an Islamic point of view, what should I do to make it right by God?
Answer
Thank you for your question. May Allah reward you for your sincere repentance. I pray that your sin stays secret and doesn’t come to harm you in the future.
Repentance
Ma sha Allah, you have done what is called for after committing an enormity. Check this link and make sure that you fulfilled all the conditions of repentance:
What Are the Conditions of Making Tawba?
Another good thing that you can do is what the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) told us, “Have taqwa (fear) of Allah wherever you may be, and follow up a bad deed with a good deed which will wipe it out, and behave well towards the people.“ [Tirmidhi]
Transformation
Finally, I urge you to change major aspects of your life so that you don’t return to this sin again. Reduce your screen time, reduce your usage of social media, don’t talk to boys, pray on time, read Quran daily with the meaning, gain sacred knowledge, and if necessary, change your company. You should only be around people who inspire you to be the best you and guide you along a path of goodness.
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, where she completed her Masters 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.
