Repentance for Zina (unlawful sexual relations in Islam) involves sincere remorse, abandoning the sin completely, and resolving never to return to it.
Here's a detailed explanation of how to repent for Zina:
1. Sincere Repentance (Tawbah):
- Deep Remorse: Feel genuine regret and sorrow for committing the sin. This remorse should stem from the awareness that you have disobeyed Allah.
- Immediate Cessation: Stop the act of Zina immediately and completely. This means ending the relationship and avoiding any further contact.
- Firm Resolution: Make a firm commitment and a strong resolution never to engage in Zina again. This requires a conscious effort to avoid situations that may lead to temptation.
2. Seeking Forgiveness from Allah:
- Supplication (Du'a): Turn to Allah in prayer (Du'a) and ask for His forgiveness. Be sincere and humble in your supplication. Plead to Allah for His mercy and guidance.
- Increased Worship: Increase your acts of worship, such as praying extra prayers (like Salat al-Tawbah), reading the Quran, and giving charity. These good deeds can help to erase the negative effects of the sin and draw you closer to Allah.
3. Avoiding Temptation:
- Cut off Contact: Sever all ties with the person with whom you committed Zina, unless marriage is a possibility and both parties are sincerely repentant.
- Avoid Tempting Environments: Stay away from places and situations that may lead you to temptation. This might include certain websites, social media, or gatherings.
- Find Good Company: Surround yourself with righteous and supportive friends who will encourage you to stay on the right path.
- Lower Your Gaze: Protect yourself from visual temptation by lowering your gaze, as mentioned in the Quran (Surah An-Nur, 24:30-31).
4. Performing Good Deeds:
- Increase Good Deeds: Increase your good deeds in general. As the Quran says (Surah Hud, 11:114), "Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds."
- Specific Acts of Charity: Giving charity is a particularly effective way to seek forgiveness. Consider donating to those in need or supporting a worthy cause.
- Helping Others: Engaging in acts of kindness and helping others can also be a form of expiation for sins.
5. Concealing the Sin:
- Do Not Boast: It is crucial not to boast about the sin or reveal it to others. Allah has concealed your sin, so do not expose it yourself. Publicly revealing a sin can be considered another sin in itself.
- Seek Private Guidance: If needed, seek guidance from a trusted and knowledgeable Islamic scholar privately.
Marriage after Zina:
- If both individuals who committed Zina sincerely repent, there is no Islamic prohibition against them marrying each other. The focus is on sincere repentance and a commitment to building a righteous marriage.
- The statement mentioned about being able to marry a chaste woman after repentance applies to the individual who has genuinely repented. Repentance erases the sin and its consequences in the eyes of Allah.
In summary, true repentance (Tawbah) for Zina involves sincere regret, immediate cessation, a firm resolve not to repeat the sin, seeking Allah's forgiveness through prayer and increased worship, avoiding tempting situations, and performing good deeds. If repentance is genuine, Allah is the Most Forgiving and Most Merciful.
