The Way of Tawba (Repentance)

Question

When Zayd repents to Allah Most High for all his past sins and asks for forgiveness, what is the best way for Zayd to adopt for repenting of his sins and asking forgiveness, and what words should he utter with his tongue for repentance — that is, should he say, in his own language or in Urdu or in Persian, only such words as: “O Allah, I repent of all my major and minor sins and ask forgiveness; O Allah, by Your grace and generosity forgive all my sins and accept my repentance” — while Zayd also remains ashamed…

Answer

First let him perform wudu, and perform it well; after that let him pray two rak’ahs of nafl; then let him seek Allah’s forgiveness (istighfar) — for a particular sin, if one was committed, or otherwise let him repent in his heart of all sins, that is, let him feel as much remorse in his heart as he is able, and make a firm resolve to guard against it in future.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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