What is the way to return to Islam and be saved from Hellfire after a period of estrangement and sins, despite attempts at repentance and performing acts of worship, while still suffering from hesitation and hatred of the truth? And is it obligatory to re-utter the Shahada?

The Sheikh answers the young man who has been excessive in sinning by stating that Allah does not cause despair of His mercy and accepts sincere repentance, which includes: abandoning sins, regretting them, resolving not to return to them, restoring injustices to their rightful owners or seeking their forgiveness, and supplicating for those he backbit and mentioning them in good terms. He clarifies that sincere repentance transforms evil deeds into good deeds, and he urges prostration to Allah and asking Him for guidance, associating with the righteous, and staying away from the wicked. As for renewing one's Islam, it is done by uttering the two testimonies of faith if he has done something that takes him out of Islam. However, if the sins do not take him out of Islam, then sincere repentance is sufficient. He warns against despairing of Allah's mercy.