Surah Al-Tahrim, Ayah 8
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا تُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ تَوْبَةً نَّصُوحًا عَسَىٰ رَبُّكُمْ أَن يُكَفِّرَ عَنكُمْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ وَيُدْخِلَكُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ
O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance. Perhaps your Lord will remove from you your misdeeds and admit you into gardens beneath which rivers flow.
اے ایمان والو! اللہ کی طرف سچی توبہ کرو، امید ہے کہ تمہارا رب تمہاری برائیاں مٹا دے اور تمہیں ایسے باغوں میں داخل کرے جن کے نیچے نہریں بہتی ہیں۔
Explanation
This verse calls believers to "sincere repentance" (tawbatan nasuha) - repentance that is genuine, complete, and resolute. Sincere repentance involves recognizing the sin, feeling genuine remorse, seeking Allah's forgiveness, and making a firm commitment not to repeat the sin. The verse promises two rewards: removal of sins (as if they never happened) and entry into Paradise with flowing rivers. The word "perhaps" (asa) doesn't indicate doubt but rather expresses hope and humility before Allah's mercy. This teaches that sincere repentance can completely erase past sins, that Allah's mercy is vast and ready to forgive those who genuinely repent, that repentance should be wholehearted and include commitment to change, and that the ultimate reward for sincere repentance is Paradise. The verse encourages believers never to despair of Allah's mercy, no matter how serious their past mistakes.
Context
This verse appears in Surah Al-Tahrim (The Prohibition), calling believers to sincere repentance and promising Allah's forgiveness and Paradise for those who genuinely turn back to Him.