Should a person constantly seek forgiveness and repent to renew their repentance if they commit an act they suspect might be a sin, or if they commit sins they are unaware of or have forgotten?
It is incumbent upon a Muslim to acquire religious knowledge to distinguish between lawful and unlawful, and to hold himself accountable to avoid sins. Regarding unknown or forgotten sins, only a general repentance from all sins, whether known or unknown, will suffice, coupled with the firm resolve to remain steadfast and abandon disobedience. Ibn al-Qayyim pointed out that delaying repentance necessitates another repentance, and that the way out of this is through a general and comprehensive repentance for all sins. The evidence for this is the : " (polytheism) in this Ummah is more subtle than the creeping of an ant." The remedy for it is to say: "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from associating anything with You while I know, and I seek Your forgiveness for what I do not know." This also includes the Prophet's comprehensive supplications for forgiveness. Therefore, one must constantly renew repentance and adhere to seeking forgiveness.
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Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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