Is remorse, cessation of sin, and the resolve not to return to it sufficient for repentance, or must one utter "Istighfar" (seeking forgiveness)? Is the order in fulfilling the conditions of repentance influential? Is the repentance of one who insults the Divine Essence valid without seeking forgiveness or uttering the Two Testimonies of Faith (Shahadatayn)? Is it permissible to seek forgiveness and repent inside the bathroom, or to utter the Two Testimonies of Faith therein? Is it a condition for an apostate to emerge from apostasy that he repents outside the city limits or the mosque? What is the correct order between uttering the Two Testimonies of Faith, repentance, and seeking forgiveness for an apostate? Is self-accountability sufficient upon repentance if it is not felt to be obligatory?

It is clear that you are afflicted with waswasah (obsessive whispering), so we advise you to ignore it. Repentance is an act of the heart that includes abandoning the sin, resolving not to return to it, and regretting it. It is not a condition to utter it with the tongue. Seeking forgiveness with the tongue alone is not sufficient if it is not accompanied by heartfelt repentance. Your repentance, which has fulfilled the conditions of abandonment, regret, and resolve, is valid and accepted. Whoever repents from apostasy must pronounce the two Shahadas for their repentance to be valid. It is not necessary to leave the city or the mosque for repentance. Remembering Allah in a place of answering the call of nature is disliked, and the dislike is stronger during the act of answering the call of nature. Beware of giving in to waswasah, for it leads to great evil.