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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Ahlul-Bayt; Ethical Role-Models Repentance Like the physical diseases that are treated by swallowing drugs and stopping eating delicious meals, sins should be treated by suffering repentance and turning to God and abstaining from the sweeping desires and the unruly whims so that the worldly and religious tragedies of the commitment of sins will not be encountered.

Reality of Repentance True repentance can be achieved after it passes through three stages: The first stage is the conscious awakening the guilty feels sorry for his acts of disobedience to God. When the soul is full of this aware feeling, it moves to: The second stage, which is turning to God and the true intention to cling to the obedience to Him.

When this feeling covers the soul, it moves to: The third stage, which is self-purification from sins, remedying the sins by acting righteous deeds and avoiding evildoings. Thus, true repentance is achieved. Repentance however is not a play or an utterance. It is the true turning to God and the real avoidance of acts of disobedience to Him.

Imam ar-Rida (a) said: “He who seeks Allah’s forgiveness from a sin that he keeps on committing is deriding his Lord.” Merits of Repentance The merits of repentance are greatly numerous. They are pictured in the holy Quran and pointed out in the texts of the Prophet and The Ahlul-Bayt (a). The Divine Care has refused to neglect the disobedient floundering in the glooms of sins without surrounding them with high sympathy and noble amnesty.

The Lord therefore has drawn their attentions to the turning to Him and paved the way of repentance to them: “When the faithful come to you, say to them, ‘Peace be upon you. Your Lord has decreed for Himself to be All-merciful. Anyone of you who commits a sin out of ignorance, then repents, and reforms himself will find that Allah is All-forgiving and All- merciful.’ (6:54)” “(Muhammad), tell my servants who have committed injustice to themselves, "Do not despair of the mercy of Allah.

Allah certainly forgives all sins. He is All-forgiving and All-merciful." (39:53)” “Ask forgiveness from your Lord; He is All- forgiving. He will send you abundant rain from the sky, strengthen you by (providing) you wealth and children, and make gardens and streams for you. (71:10-2)” “Allah loves those who repent and those who purify themselves.