Question # 168: I know a person who had committed sins in the past, Then performed Hajj and Umrah, then stopped, regretted, repented and refrained from all wrong and doubtful acts. This person is complaining from: his relatives, his friends, his partners, his family and even his spouse. The keep Taunting at him and remind him of his sins and call him sinner and making fun of him that he is still a sinner and Allah will not forgave him. Can you please explain what is the rule in Islam for people taunting on others by their sins and keep reminding them and call them sinners, although they have completely repented. Jazak Allah Kheir

Bismi-llahi r-raḥmani r-raḥīm,

Assalamu ‘laikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

All praise and thanks are due to Allah (سبحانه و تعالى), and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم).

Dear questioner,

First of all, we implore Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) to help us serve His cause and render our work for His sake.

Shorter Answer: Making mistakes and being forgetful are undoubtedly part of human nature and no one is free of these shortcomings in his/her obedience to Allah (سبحانه و تعالى). However, Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) has opened the gate of repentance for us, and has commanded us to turn to Him, every time our sins overwhelm us, as Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said: “Every son of Adam sins, and the best of those who sin are those who repent.” From the very many ahadith and ayat of the Qur’an, it is clear that Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) rejoices the repentance of His slave and there is always hope for forgiveness from Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) for heinous of crimes, until the sun rises from the west or until the death-rattle reaches one’s throat. 

Hence, if Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) accepts the repentance and forgive a person, there should be no one among mankind to object. In other words, if someone keeps taunting a person who has repented, implies such torturer is not in agreement with the decision of Allah (سبحانه و تعالى). Therefore, it is not permissible to criticize because the soul of such person has been purified by his/her repentance as Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said: “The one who repents from sin is like one who has never sinned.” On the other hand, criticizing someone of sin is an even greater sin, because it means that the criticizer feels pride in his obedience and claim to be free from sin. But it may be that the one who has repented is closer to the mercy of Allah, and this conceited one is to the wrath of Allah. A sin that leads to humility is more beloved to Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) than an act of obedience which fills a person with conceit.

Long Answer: Making mistakes and being forgetful are undoubtedly part of human nature and no one is free of these shortcomings in his/her obedience to Allah (سبحانه و تعالى). Sometimes, we turn to Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) knowing that He is watching us and sometimes we turn away from Him and become negligent. Hence the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said: “By the One in Whose hand is my soul, if you did not commit sin, Allah would do away with you and bring people who would commit sin then pray for forgiveness.” (Narrated by Muslim) And he (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said: “Every son of Adam sins, and the best of those who sin are those who repent.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi; classed as hasan by al-Albani)

By His mercy towards mankind, Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) has opened the gate of repentance for us, and has commanded us to turn to Him, every time our sins overwhelm us. Were it not for this Mercy, man would suffer a great deal of hardship and would not have the drive to draw closer to Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) losing all hope of His forgiveness and pardon.

First, let’s look at some ahadith expressing Allah’s Mercy over mankind with respect to repentance:

  • The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said: “The one who repents from sin is like one who has never sinned.” (Narrated by Ibn Majah; classed as sahih by al-Busayri in al-Zawaa’id, commentary on Sunan Ibn Maajah)
  • It was narrated that Abu Hamzah Anas ibn Maalik al-Ansaari (رضي الله عنه), the servant of the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم), said: The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said: “Allah rejoices more over the repentance of His slave than any one of you who finds his camel after having lost it in a desolate land.” (Agreed upon)
  • It was narrated from Abu Moosa ‘Abd-Allah ibn Qays al-Ash’ari (رضي الله عنه) that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said: “Allah spreads out His hand at night to accept the repentance of the one who sinned during the day, and He spreads out His hand by day to accept the repentance of the one who sinned during the night, (and that will continue) until the sun rises from the west.” (Narrated by Muslim)
  • It was narrated from Abu ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (رضي الله عنه) that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said: “Allah will accept the repentance of His slave so long as the death-rattle has not yet reached his throat.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi; classed as hasan by al-Albani)

Now, let’s look at some ayat from Qur’an on this topic:

  • Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) says: “Say: O ‘Ibaadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily, Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful” (Soorah al-Zumar, 39:53)
  • With respect to major sin of adultery, Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) says: “Allah accepts only the repentance of those who do evil in ignorance and foolishness and repent soon afterwards; it is they to whom Allah will forgive and Allah is Ever All­Knower, All­Wise. (Soorah An-Nisa’a, 4:17)
  • Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) says: “Verily, those who conceal the clear proofs, evidence and the guidance, which We have sent down, after We have made it clear for the people in the Book, they are the ones cursed by Allah and cursed by the cursers.Except those who repent and do righteous deeds, and openly declare (the truth which they concealed). These, I will accept their repentance. And I am the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful. (Soorah al-Baqarah, 2:159-160)
  • With respect to crime of theft/stealing, Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) says: “And (as for) the male thief and the female thief, cut off (from the wrist joint) their (right) hands as a recompense for that which they committed, a punishment by way of example from Allah. And Allah is All-Powerful, All-Wise. But whosoever repents after his crime and does righteous good deeds (by obeying Allah), then verily, Allah will pardon him (accept his repentance). Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Soorah al-Maidah, 5:38-39)
  • Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) opens the door of repentance to the hypocrites, who are worse than the kuffaar and says: “Verily, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depth (grade) of the Fire; no helper will you find for them. Except those who repent (from hypocrisy), do righteous good deeds, hold fast to Allah, and purify their religion for Allah (by worshipping none but Allah, and do good for Allah’s sake only, not to show off), then they will be with the believers. And Allah will grant the believers a great reward” (Soorah an-Nisa’a, 4:145-146)

Hence, if Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) accepts the repentance and forgive a person, there should be no one among mankind to object. In other words, if someone keeps taunting a person who has repented, implies such torturer is not in agreement with the decision of Allah (سبحانه و تعالى). Therefore, it is not permissible to criticize because the soul of such person has been purified by his/her repentance.

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “…your criticizing [of] your brother for his sin is an even greater sin than his, because it means that you feel pride in your obedience and you are praising yourself for that, and claiming to be free from sin, whereas your brother has fallen into sin. But it may be that his feeling humble because of his sin and what has happened to him, such as his feeling humble and submissive, thinking less of himself, ridding himself of pious pretensions, arrogance and self-admiration, standing before Allah with his head bowed, his gaze lowered and his heart broken – it may be that all of that is better for him than your feeling proud of your obedience, thinking that you are doing much good, believing that by doing so you are important, and reminding Allah and mankind of that.

How close this sinner is to the mercy of Allah, and how close this conceited one is to the wrath of Allah! A sin that leads to humility is more beloved to Him than an act of obedience which fills a person with conceit. If you sleep all night then wake up feeling regret (for not having prayed qiyaam al-layl), that may be better for you than if you were to pray all night and wake up in the morning filled with self-admiration. For the deeds of the one who admires himself are not accepted… The groaning of the sinners is more beloved to Allah than the tasbeeh of the conceited…” (Madaarij al-Saalikeen) (Shaykh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid)

Allahu A’lam (Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) knows best) and all Perfections belong to Allah, and all mistakes belong to me alone. May Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) forgive me, Ameen.

Wassalaam