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What is repentance (tawba) in the Qur'an?

The root of tawba is tāba, "to turn": the servant's return to God, and God's acceptance of him.

A sincere return

  • "Turn to God in sincere repentance (tawbatan naṣūḥā)." (66:8)
  • "Do not despair of God's mercy; God forgives all sins." (39:53)
  • For the one who believes and turns, God "turns evil deeds into good ones." (25:70)

The condition: time

  • "Acceptance is for those who do wrong in ignorance and then repent soon after." (4:17)
  • "Not for those who say 'now I repent' when death comes, nor those who die as deniers." (4:18)

God loves the repentant

  • "God loves those who turn to Him and those who purify themselves." (2:222)

The door stays open until the last breath — but repentance is not to be postponed.

Source: Qur'anic verses (M. Okuyan meal). Presented with a text/interpretation distinction.

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