How Do I Repent From a Major Sin?

Answers are more useful when you can see the working, so the evidence is set out below.

The evidence

The Quran addresses those who wronged themselves excessively and tells them not to despair of the mercy of Allah, who forgives all sins (39:53).

The fourth condition applies only where a person’s right was violated — property, reputation or physical harm.

Repentance from a sin involving another person may be discharged by returning the right or seeking their pardon; where contacting them would cause greater harm, scholars permit making dua and giving charity on their behalf.

In practice

• Concealment is required, not confession — the Prophet ﷺ turned away those who came to confess.
• Change the circumstances that made the sin available; resolve alone is not a plan.
• Follow a bad deed with a good one; the hadith gives this as an instruction.

Take one item from the list above and hold it for a week before adding anything else. Consistency is the part the Sunnah emphasises.

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