Which is better for a person: to strive against his soul to abandon sin, or to commit it and then repent with sincere repentance?

The servant must strive against his soul to abandon sins and not commit them with the intention of repentance, for there is no guarantee of safety from death or an evil end before repentance. Even those who strive against their souls to abandon sins are in need of repentance, and shortcomings befall them. Indeed, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would seek forgiveness and repent more than one hundred times a day. As for what you asked about, the one who repents from a sin can return to a state similar to his original one, or a more complete one, or a less complete one. This depends on his condition after repentance compared to his condition before the sin. If, after repentance, he is better and more cautious and fearful, he returns to a higher rank. If he was more perfect before the sin and did not return to that state, he returns to a lower rank. If, after repentance, he is similar to his condition before the sin, he returns to a similar position.