How can a penitent who feels desolation and hardness of heart be sure that his repentance has been accepted, and is mere repentance sufficient to remove the "rust" from his heart? Is his feeling that Allah has not forgiven him a result of thinking ill of Allah? And how can he know that his repentance has been accepted if he finds it difficult to weep? Is the acceptance of repentance linked to softness of heart? Is it true that whoever Allah turns away from is doomed, and is there repentance for him after turning away? What is the interpretation of Ibn al-Qayyim's saying about the torment of one who knew a path to Allah and then turned away from Him, and does he have no repentance? What is meant by "turning away" in this context, and is someone who commits sins in private and then repents and returns, or does not repent quickly, considered to be turning away from Allah?
Allah has promised to accept sincere repentance from His servants as long as the soul has not reached the throat. Whoever feels that their repentance is not accepted after fulfilling its conditions may be harboring ill thoughts about Allah. Sincere repentance removes the "ran" (stain or rust) that covers hearts due to sins. Turning away from Allah is one of the most dangerous causes of destruction; it leads to misery and a constricted life, and Allah removes His guardianship and care from those who turn away from Him. Whoever repents from their sins, Allah forgives them. As for those who do not repent, their matter is with Allah Almighty. Indeed, Allah accepts the repentance of a servant as long as they repent after every sin.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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