Hadith #1630

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the concept of repentance, highlighting its essential components and the mindset that accompanies it. Let us delve into the exegesis of this profound Hadith, drawing upon the guidance of the Quran.

The Hadith begins with the statement,

Repentance is heartfelt regret.

The Arabic word used for repentance is (tawbah) "تَوْبَة", which signifies turning back to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) with sincere remorse for one's past actions. This regret is not merely superficial, but it stems from the depths of the heart. It is a genuine feeling of remorse and sorrow for having committed a sin.

The Quran supports this concept of heartfelt regret in numerous verses. In Surah Al-Tahrim (66:8), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance.

This verse emphasizes the need for sincere repentance, which can only come from a heart that is genuinely remorseful.

The second part of the Hadith states,

seeking forgiveness with the tongue.

This highlights the importance of verbalizing our repentance and seeking forgiveness from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). By using our tongues to ask for forgiveness, we acknowledge our wrongdoing and humble ourselves before our Creator.

The Quranic verse in Surah Al-Nasr (110:3) supports this aspect of seeking forgiveness with the tongue. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

So exalt [Allah] with praise of your Lord and ask forgiveness of Him. Indeed, He is ever Accepting of repentance.

This verse encourages us to praise Allah and seek His forgiveness, recognizing that He is always ready to accept our repentance.

The third component of repentance mentioned in the Hadith is

abandoning [the sin] with the limbs.

This means refraining from committing the sin physically and actively avoiding any actions that may lead to its repetition. It involves a conscious effort to distance oneself from the sin and its associated temptations.

The Quranic verse in Surah Al-An'am (6:120) supports this aspect of abandoning the sin with the limbs. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And leave what is apparent of sin and what is concealed thereof.

This verse urges us to not only abstain from committing sins openly but also to avoid any hidden or subtle forms of wrongdoing.

The final part of the Hadith states,

and a determination never to repeat it again.

This emphasizes the importance of making a firm resolution to never return to the sin. It requires a strong will and a sincere intention to change one's ways and avoid falling back into the same sinful behavior.

The Quranic verse in Surah Al-Imran (3:135) supports this aspect of determination to never repeat the sin. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And those who, when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves, remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins - and who can forgive sins except Allah? - and [who] do not persist in what they have done while they know.

This verse highlights the importance of seeking forgiveness and not persisting in sinful behavior.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we can understand that true repentance involves a deep sense of regret, seeking forgiveness from Allah, abandoning the sin with our actions, and making a firm commitment to never repeat it. It is a comprehensive process that requires sincere introspection, humility, and a genuine desire to seek Allah's mercy and forgiveness.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to sincerely repent for our sins and seek His forgiveness. May He guide us to lead lives of righteousness and protect us from falling into the traps of sin. Ameen.