Does Allah accept the repentance of a Muslim who committed shirk and major sins, and was unable to return gossip to its victims?
The door of repentance is open for anyone who has fallen into polytheism, whether they were originally polytheistic or Muslim. This is based on Allah’s saying: "Say to those who have disbelieved, if they cease, what has passed will be forgiven them" and His saying: "Say, 'O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.'" Repentance is accepted as long as the servant has not reached the death rattle, based on Allah’s saying: "But repentance is not for those who continue to do evil deeds until, when death comes to one of them, he says, 'Indeed, I have repented now,'" and the Hadith: "Indeed, Allah accepts the repentance of His servant as long as he has not reached the death rattle." Whoever suffers from whispers of disbelief and apostasy should fear Allah and not give in to them. If they have indeed fallen into apostasy, they should not despair but turn to Allah in repentance, for whoever repents, Allah accepts their repentance.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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