Can We Repent for Zina? Understanding Islamic Teachings on Repentance

Hi! Are you currently looking for an explanation of "Can we repent for Zina?"? If your answer is "Yes," congratulations! You are reading the right article. Why? Because that is what I will explain in this article. As Muslims, we must understand this topic; that's why I wrote this article. So, please read it to the end!

Specifically, there are some important aspects regarding "Can we repent for Zina?" which I will explain in this article. The some aspects are as follows:

Forgiveness for Zina

The important point about "Can we repent for Zina?" that I will explain now is "forgiveness for Zina." I want you to understand this concept before reading any further explanations in this article. Why? Because it is one of the main focuses of our discussion now.

Zina is considered one of the major sins in Islam. That's why Islam strictly forbids Muslims from committing Zina. One of the severe punishments for those who commit Zina is that, in Hell, their vital organs will emit a very unpleasant odor that can torture them.

Read Also: What Is Zina of the Eyes?

I'm sure there isn't a single person who doesn't make mistakes. Some individuals have committed very serious sins, such as Zina. Some Muslims have engaged in this act. Therefore, for Muslims who have committed Zina, I hope they will genuinely regret their actions. Regret for one's sins is one of the conditions for Allah to accept repentance.

Additionally, Muslims who have committed Zina are strongly encouraged to hope for Allah's forgiveness. They must not stop expecting this, as it is one way for Allah to grant them mercy.

One thing all Muslims must remember is that Allah specifically forbids them from losing hope in His mercy! Allah is the most merciful and forgiving God. It is not difficult for Allah to forgive all kinds of sins, including Zina.

That's a brief explanation of "forgiveness for Zina." As Muslims, we must understand this.

Zina in the Quran and Hadith

The important point about "Can we repent for Zina?" that I will explain now is "Zina in the Quran and Hadith." I want you to understand this so that you always remember that Zina is a very serious sin.

Zina in the Quran

Regarding the Quran's stance on Zina, it is as follows:

الزَّانِيَةُ وَالزَّانِي فَاجْلِدُوا كُلَّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمَا مِائَةَ جَلْدَةٍ ۖ وَلَا تَأْخُذْكُمْ بِهِمَا رَأْفَةٌ فِي دِينِ اللَّهِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ ۖ وَلْيَشْهَدْ عَذَابَهُمَا طَائِفَةٌ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ

"Women who commit Zina and men who commit Zina, then beat each one of them with a hundred strokes. And do not have mercy on both of them in carrying out (the provisions) of Allah’s religion, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. And let a group of believers witness their punishment."

وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَدْعُونَ مَعَ اللَّهِ إِلَهًا آخَرَ وَلَا يَقْتُلُونَ النَّفْسَ الَّتِي حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ وَلَا يَزْنُونَ وَمَنْ يَفْعَلْ ذَلِكَ يَلْقَ أَثَامًا يُضَاعَفْ لَهُ الْعَذَابُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَيَخْلُدْ فِيهِ مُهَانًا إِلَّا مَنْ تَابَ وَآمَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا فَأُولَئِكَ يُبَدِّلُ اللَّهُ سَيِّئَاتِهِمْ حَسَنَاتٍ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَحِيمًا

"And those who do not associate anything with Allah and do not kill a soul that Allah has forbidden (to kill) except for a just cause, and do not commit Zina—whoever does this will face the consequences of their sin. The punishment will be multiplied for them on the Day of Resurrection, and they will remain in that punishment, humiliated. Except for those who repent, believe, and do righteous deeds; for them, Allah will replace their evil deeds with good. And Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful."

Zina in the Hadith

Regarding Hadith about Zina, it is as follows:

إِذَا زَنَى الرَّجُلُ خَرَجَ مِنْهُ الإِيمَانُ كَانَ عَلَيْهِ كَالظُّلَّةِ فَإِذَا انْقَطَعَ رَجَعَ إِلَيْهِ الإِيمَانُ

"If a person commits Zina, then their faith decreases (the light of their faith is lost) as if they are being covered by a cloud. If they abstain from Zina, then that faith will return to them."

إِنَّ مِنْ أَشْرَاطِ السَّاعَةِ أَنْ يُرْفَعَ الْعِلْمُ، وَيَثْبُتَ الْجَهْلُ، وَيُشْرَبَ الْخَمْرُ، وَيَظْهَرَ الزِّنَا

"Indeed, among the signs of the coming of the Last Day are the lifting of knowledge, the prevalence of ignorance, widespread drinking of khamr, and the open commission of Zina."

That is a brief explanation of Zina in the Quran and Hadith. As Muslims, we must understand this.

Can We Repent for Zina?

The important point about "Can we repent for Zina?" that I will explain now is a specific answer. If we read Islamic literature about Zina, we will find the answer that we can indeed repent for Zina.

We can find an explanation that we can repent for Zina in the following verses of the Quran and Hadith:

أَلَمۡ يَعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ يَقۡبَلُ ٱلتَّوۡبَةَ عَنۡ عِبَادِهِۦ وَيَأۡخُذُ ٱلصَّدَقَٰتِ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلتَّوَّابُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ ١٠٤

"Do they not know that Allah accepts repentance from His servants and takes the alms, and that Allah is the Oft-returning (to mercy), the Merciful?" (At-Taubah [9]; 104)

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : إِنَّ اللهَ يَقْبَلُ تَوْبَةَ الْعَبْدِ مَا لَمْ يُغَرْغِرْ . رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيُّ

"From Abdullah bin Umar, from the Prophet (Muhammad) sallallahu alayhi wa sallam: 'Verily, Allah accepts the repentance of a servant as long as he has not experienced naza’ (the soul arriving in the throat when a person is about to die).'" The hadith was narrated by at-Tirmidhi.

Dua for Forgiveness of Zina

Now, after we understand some brief explanations about Zina, one thing we should know is the Dua for forgiveness of Zina. To be honest, there are many prayers that can be said for Allah to forgive someone who has committed Zina. One of these is reciting Istighfar.

There are many types of Istighfar that we can recite. One of them is Sayyidul Istighfar, which is among the best Istighfar for repentance.

As for Sayyidul Istighfar, it is as follows:

اَللُّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّيْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ خَلَقْتَنِيْ وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ أَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ أَبُوْءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ , وَأَبُوُءْ بِذَنْبِيْ , فَاغْفِرْلِيْ , فَإِنَّهُ لَايَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوْبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ

"O Allah, You are my Lord. There is no god but You. You created me. I am Your servant. I am always true to Your promises and I fulfill my vows according to my ability. I take refuge in You from the bad things I have done. I acknowledge all the blessings You have given me, and I confess my sin. So, forgive me, for no one can forgive sins except You."

That is a brief explanation of "Can we repent for Zina?" I hope this is useful! Amen!