The Practising Muslim · Repentance & the Heart

Heartfelt Tawbah in Islam

Explore sincerity and conditions for repentance acceptance.

6 questions · Medium · about 5 minutes

Test yourself properly, with scoring and instant feedback.

6 questions, about 5 minutes.

Take the quiz
Show questions and answers Spoilers: every answer and explanation for all 6 questions.

1. What can happen to a person’s status after sincere repentance?

  • Allah may raise them in status and make them better than before. (correct answer)
  • They must remain lower forever because of the past sin.
  • Their repentance counts only if they never sinned again in their life.
  • Allah forgives them but never turns bad deeds into good deeds.

Why

Sincere repentance erases what came before it, and Allah may raise the repentant person in status and turn bad deeds into good deeds. A person who repents sincerely, gives up sin, regrets it, obeys Allah, keeps righteous company, and stays away from evil may become better after repentance than they were before the sin.

View source on IslamQA →

2. What is the greatest aspect of repentance?

  • Regret for having committed the sin. (correct answer)
  • Performing a fixed number of extra prayers.
  • Making a public declaration of remorse.
  • Waiting until the feeling of guilt disappears.

Why

Regret is central to repentance because true regret leads a person to give up the sin and resolve not to return to it. The regret meant here is sorrow for the sin because it was disobedience to Allah, not merely regret because of worldly consequences.

View source on IslamQA →

3. What should someone do after realizing they mistreated their parents, if the parents have already died?

  • Regret the sin, repent to Allah, and honour them through du’a and righteous deeds. (correct answer)
  • Despair because repentance is no longer possible.
  • Ask unrelated people to forgive the sin instead of repenting.
  • Do nothing because the parents have died.

Why

Mistreating parents is a major sin, but repentance remains possible. If the parents have died and some conditions of making amends can no longer be fulfilled directly, sincere regret is repentance in that situation. The person should also do what they can to honour their parents after death, such as making du’a for them, giving charity on their behalf, paying any debts or trusts they left, and honouring their friends.

View source on IslamQA →

4. What can help someone remain firm after repenting?

  • Keeping company with good people and avoiding bad company. (correct answer)
  • Staying close to people who encourage the old sins.
  • Avoiding righteous people so repentance stays private.
  • Depending only on past regret while keeping the same harmful environment.

Why

Good company helps a person stay firm because righteous companions encourage obedience and remind a person of Allah. Bad company pulls a person back toward sin. Along with good company, the person should make du’a, ask Allah for strength, restore people’s rights where needed, and keep away from the causes of sin.

View source on IslamQA →

5. What are the three basic conditions of repentance for a sin between a person and Allah?

  • Giving up the sin, regretting it, and resolving never to return to it. (correct answer)
  • Giving charity, travelling for Hajj, and making a public statement.
  • Speaking to a scholar, fasting three days, and changing one’s name.
  • Feeling sad while continuing the sin.

Why

For repentance from a sin that is only between a person and Allah, the person must stop the sin, regret having done it, and resolve not to return to it. If the sin involved another person’s rights, then a further condition is added: restoring the right or seeking forgiveness from the wronged person.

View source on IslamQA →

6. Is making a vow never to repeat a sin required for repentance?

  • No, what is required is sincere resolve not to repeat the sin. (correct answer)
  • Yes, repentance is invalid unless the person makes a vow.
  • Yes, and breaking the vow always requires only three days of fasting.
  • No, because repentance does not require any resolve about the future.

Why

A vow is not a condition of repentance. What is required is sincere repentance: regret for the past, giving up the sin immediately, and firm resolve not to return to it. If someone sincerely repents and later falls again, they should repent again and not despair of Allah’s mercy.

View source on IslamQA →

A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

More in Repentance & the Heart

Browse all 281 quizzes or explore guidance topics.