How Does a Person Come Back to Allah?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalamualaikum

I have done some sinful acts. The more I indulged in sin, the farther away from Allah I got. I actually came within inches of becoming an atheist. But, I made istighfaar. Ever since I feel as if I am a hypocrite. I have been very irregular in prayers, and I have constant doubts about the deen. My question is, how does a person come back to Allah? Where do I begin to atone for my sins? How do I get rid of doubts?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray that you are in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.

The key is sincere repentance. [see: A Reader on Tawba (Repentance)]

Repentance has three conditions: to leave the sin, remorse of having committed the sin, and to resolve never to return to it. With that, make a firm intention to uphold the obligatory in your life and abstain from the unlawful.

Seek refuge from the devil, ask Allah to increase you in faith and guidance, and pray the Prayer of Need (salat al-hajah). [see: How Does One Perform The Prayer Of Need (salat al-haja)? and: Struggling to Have Children: Ten Key Etiquettes of Du’a]

Allah Most High says, “Say, ‘[God says], My servants who have harmed yourselves by your own excess, do not despair of God’s mercy. God forgives all sins: He is truly the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.” [39.53]

Consider taking a free class: Absolute Essentials of Islam: Beliefs & Worship (STEP)

Please see: Doubts About Islam: I Don’t Find Any Observable Effect or Peace in My Worship

And Allah alone gives success.

wassalam,

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani