How should I do Tawbah?
As salamu alaykaim Brothers & Sisters,
I want to recite a Dua for Forgiveness but I don't know which one. I've tried looking on the internet but there's always different duas coming up and I don't know which one to choose and I also don't know when to recite it.
Do I recite it after I have prayed or before I have finished my prayer when reciting "Tabbat Yada"? And if you're wondering why I am not asking a family member it's because I don't want to tell them why I am asking for forgiveness as I am very shamed of it.
Thank you
~Sara85
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Salaams,
I think you will find the information in the following link helpful for your query: http://www.zawaj.com/askbilqis/tawbah-in-islam/ . And here is a detailed explanation of how to offer Tawbah (taken from http://islamqa.info/en/ref/98030):
1 – The prayer of repentance is prescribed in sharee’ah
The scholars are unanimously agreed that the prayer of repentance is prescribed in sharee’ah. Abu Dawood (1521) narrated that Abu Bakr al-Siddeeq (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “There is no one who commits a sin then purifies himself well and stands and prays two rak’ahs, then asks Allaah for forgiveness, but Allaah will forgive him. Then he recited this verse: ‘And those who, when they have committed Faahishah (illegal sexual intercourse) or wronged themselves with evil, remember Allaah and ask forgiveness for their sins; — and none can forgive sins but Allaah — and do not persist in what (wrong) they have done, while they know’ [Aal ‘Imraan 3:135].” Classed as sahaah by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.
Ahmad (26998) narrated that Abu’l-Darda’ (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “The one who does wudoo’ and does it well, then stands and prays two rak’ahs or four (one of the narrators was uncertain), in which he remembers Allaah and focuses well, then asks Allaah for forgiveness, He will forgive him.” The editor of al-Musnad said: its isnaad is hasan. It was also quoted by al-Albaani in Silsilat al-Ahaadeeth al-Saheehah (3398).
2 – The reason for the prayer of repentance
The reason for the prayer of repentance is if a Muslim falls into sin, whether it is a major or minor sin, he has to repent from it straight away and it is recommended for him to pray these two rak’ahs. And when he repents he should do a righteous deed which is one of the best of deeds, namely prayer. So he may draw close to Allaah by means of this in the hope that He may accept his repentance and forgive his sin.
3 – The time for the prayer of repentance
It is mustahabb to offer this prayer when the Muslim has decided to repent from the sin that he has committed, whether this repentance comes immediately after committing the sin or later on. The sinner must hasten to repent but if he delays it, it will still be accepted, because repentance is accepted so long as one of the following impediments does not occur:
(i) When the soul reaches the throat (at death). The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah will accept the repentance of His slave so long as the death rattle has not yet begun.” Classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi (3537).
(ii) When the sun rises from the west. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever repents before the sun rises from the west, Allaah will accept his repentance.” Narrated by Muslim (2703).
This prayer is prescribed at all times including times when prayer is disallowed (such as after ‘Asr prayer), because it is one of the prayers that are done for a reason, so it is prescribed when the reason for it is present.
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said: Prayers which are done for a reason, such as the prostration of recitation, greeting the mosque, the eclipse prayer, prayer immediately after purifying oneself, as mentioned in the hadeeth of Bilaal, and istikhaarah prayer should not be delayed if the reason comes up at a time when prayer is disallowed, because delaying them may cause one to miss them, such as if the one who is praying istikhaarah may miss the thing concerning which he is seeking guidance if he delays the prayer. The same applies to the prayer of repentance. If a person commits a sin, then it is obligatory to repent straight away, and it is recommended for him to pray two rak’ahs, then repent, as it says in the hadeeth of Abu Bakr al-Siddeeq. End quote from Majmoo’ al-Fataawa (23/215).
4 –Description of the prayer of repentance
The prayer of repentance is two rak’ahs, as it says in the hadeeth of Abu Bakr al-Siddeeq (may Allaah be pleased with him).
It is prescribed for the one who is repenting to pray alone, because it is one of the naafil prayers that it is not prescribed to offer in congregation. After that it is prescribed to ask Allaah for forgiveness, because of the hadeeth of Abu Bakr (may Allaah be pleased with him).
There is no report from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to say that it is mustahabb to recite any particular soorahs in these two rak’ahs, so the worshipper may recite whatever he wants.
It is mustahabb for the penitent to strive hard in doing righteous deeds as well as offering this prayer, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And verily, I am indeed forgiving to him who repents, believes (in My Oneness, and associates none in worship with Me) and does righteous good deeds, and then remains constant in doing them (till his death)”
[Ta-Ha 20:82]
Among the best of righteous deeds that the penitent can do is giving charity, for charity is one of the greatest means of expiating sin. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“If you disclose your Sadaqaat (almsgiving), it is well; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, that is better for you. (Allaah) will expiate you some of your sins”
[al-Baqarah 2:271]
It is proven that Ka’b ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) said, when Allaah accepted his repentance: O Messenger of Allaah, as part of my repentance I shall give up my wealth as charity for Allaah and His Messenger. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Keep some of your wealth, for it is better for you.” He said: Then I shall keep my share in Khaybar. Agreed upon.
To sum up:
1- This prayer is proven from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
2- It is prescribed when the Muslim repents from any sin, whether it is a major sin or a minor sin, and whether this repentance comes immediately after committing the sin or after some time has passed.
3- This prayer may be offered at any time, including times when prayer is disallowed.
4- It is mustahabb for the penitent to do some good deeds along with this prayer, such as charity etc.
-Amy
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
Asalaamualaykum,
Sincere repentance starts in the heart with regret and guilt, it develops with intention to stop, it flourishes by turning back to Allah and asking Him(swt) to forgive you - its that simple. So whatever you are doing now, just stop and turn back to Allah. Do tawbah at any time, when you are sitting, standing, walking, laying down, when in sujood, just before ending Salaah, in the last part of the night. There are lots of recommended duas, don't feel that you are not doing enough if you are not doing all the duas. Just pick a few that touch your heart and use them to help you talk to Allah. Also, speak to Allah from your heart and say what you feel.
Here are some duas:
1) Shaddad ibn Aws narrated that the Prophet [صلى الله عليه وسلم] said; "the most superior request for forgiveness is to say: 'O Allah, You are my Lord. There is no god besides You. You created me and I am Your servant, following your covenant and [my] promise to you as much as I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil that I have done. Before You I acknowledge Your blessings bestowed upon me and I confess my sins to You. So forgive me, for surely no one can forgive sins except You.'
The Prophet [صلى الله عليه وسلم] then added, 'anyone who says this during the day, firmly believing in it, and dies before the evening; or says it in the evening, firmly believing in it, and dies before the following morning, will be among the people of paradise.' " [Sahih al-Bukhari, vol 8, pp212-3, no 318]
2) Ibn Umar(ra) said: “The Messenger of Allah(sws) used not to miss these supplications in the evening or in the morning...” [Collected by Ahmed, Abu Dawood, an-Nasai’ & Ibn Majah. It was classified as Saheeh by al-Hakim, ibn Hibban, an-Nawawi, Ibn Baaz & al-Albaani] The Prophet(sws) said: "O Allah, I seek Your forgiveness and Your protection in this world and the next. O Allah, I seek Your forgiveness and Your protection in my religion, in my worldly affairs, in my family and in my wealth. O Allah, conceal my secrets and preserve me from anguish . O Allah , guard me from what is in front of me and behind me , from my left , and from my right , and from above me . I seek refuge in Your Greatness from being struck down from beneath me."
There are lots of duas in the Quran and the Sunnah. Please take your time to read through the following links insha'Allah:
http://www.zawaj.com/askbilqis/tawbah-in-islam/poem-turning-back-to-allah/
http://www.zawaj.com/askbilqis/tawbah-in-islam/its-not-over-til-the-trumpets-blown-tawbah-and-repentance/
http://www.zawaj.com/askbilqis/dua-in-islam/25-duas-from-the-quran/
http://www.zawaj.com/askbilqis/dua-in-islam/morning-and-evening-dhikr-part-1/
SisterZ
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
Sara, see our articles on Tawbah. Links at the top of the page. I just want to add that you must be sincere. You must have given up the sinful act, feel sorry that you did it, and never plan to do it again. Then ask Allah with all your heart for forgiveness. There are many good dua' to learn, but you can also speak to Allah in your own words, pleading for forgiveness, and He will forgive you, because He is the Most Merciful.
Wael
IslamicAnswers.com Editor