Forgiveness and making a fresh start

Hope after wrongdoing

The Qur'an addresses people who have wronged themselves and tells them not to despair of God's mercy. The next verse calls them to return to God. Read together, these passages offer hope and invite change. They do not suggest that harming others is unimportant or that a person can plan wrongdoing on the assumption that forgiveness will make it harmless.

What repentance involves

Tawbah means turning back from wrongdoing. Sincere repentance involves recognising the wrong, regretting it, stopping it and resolving not to repeat it. When another person's rights have been harmed, putting matters right also matters. Returning borrowed money, correcting a damaging lie or replacing property can be part of this responsibility.

Suppose someone spreads a false claim about a classmate in a messaging group. Private regret alone does not repair the public damage. The person needs to stop circulating it and correct the falsehood where possible. Repair should be thoughtful: an apology must not create further danger or force a harmed person to meet the offender.

Forgiveness and consequences

Seeking God's forgiveness does not automatically cancel a debt, a person's claim or a lawful process of accountability. Saying of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) — Sahih Muslim 2581 — warns that worship does not erase harm done to others. Nor should a victim be pressured to forgive before they are ready.

The practical message is hopeful: a wrong choice need not define the whole of a person's future. But hope becomes meaningful when it leads to changed behaviour. Islam places mercy and responsibility together. It leaves final knowledge of a person's sincerity and standing with God to God.

Qur’anic verses

Qur'an 39 : 53

Say: My servants who have harmed themselves through wrongdoing, do not despair of God's mercy. God forgives all sins. He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.

Context: Read with Qur'an 39 : 54, which calls for return and submission. The promise of mercy is not permission to continue harming people.

Read the verse and Arabic text

Qur'an 39 : 54

Turn back to your Lord and submit to Him before punishment comes upon you and you can no longer be helped.

Read the verse and Arabic text

Hadith

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) — Sahih Muslim 2581

Relevant passage — plain-English meaning

A person may arrive at judgment with prayer, fasting and charity, yet have harmed others. Their good deeds are used to compensate those harmed; if exhausted, the victims’ sins are placed on them, and they are cast into the Fire.

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Sources: Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) — Sahih Muslim 2581 [11]