Repentance for a sin — before Allah or before the community elders

Question

Zayd committed a sin, and because of it people severed relations with him. Later Zayd repented before a reliable scholar, felt remorse for his deed and sought forgiveness from Allah Most High. However, the elders of the community, in order to make a mockery of him, say that he should ask forgiveness of the biradari (a kinship or caste community) — and this caused still more uproar in the community, and the elders forbid people to associate with him.

Answer

If he did not commit a sin against the biradari, then it is not necessary for him to ask forgiveness of the community or of the elders; the elders’ demand is wrong. What is necessary is to seek forgiveness from the Pure God with sincere remorse of heart.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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