Repentance is heartfelt regret, seeking forgiveness with the tongue, abandoning [the sin] with the limbs and a determination never to repeat it again

التَّوْبَةُ نَدَمٌ بِالْقَلْبِ وَاسْتِغْفَارٌ بِاللِّسَانِ وَتَرْكٌ بِالْجَوَارِحِ وَإِضْمَارُ أَنْ لَا يَعُودَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Vices are a disease, and its remedy is seeking forgiveness, and its cure is not repeating [the vices]

الذُّنُوبُ الدَّاءُ وَالدَّوَاءُ الِاسْتِغْفَارُ وَالشِّفَاءُ أَنْ لَا تَعُودَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who makes amends is on the brink of righteousness

الْمُسْتَدْرِكُ عَلَى شَفَا صَلَاحٍ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Proper rectification [of one’s mistakes] is the symbol of righteousness

حُسْنُ الِاسْتِدْرَاكِ عُنْوَانُ الصَّلَاحِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Successful is the one who reforms his current actions and makes amends for his past mistakes

فَازَ مَنْ أَصْلَحَ عَمَلَ يَوْمِهِ وَاسْتَدْرَكَ فَوَارِطَ [فَوَائِتَ‏] أَمْسِهِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

They have indeed been given time to seek deliverance and have been guided to the clear course

قَدْ أُمْهِلُوا فِي طَلَبِ الْمَخْرَجِ وَهُدُوا سَبِيلَ الْمَنْهَجِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who is granted repentance will not be deprived of its acceptance

مَنْ أُعْطِيَ التَّوْبَةَ لَمْ يُحْرَمِ الْقَبُولَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Whoever does not accept repentance, his sin is great

مَنْ لَمْ يَقْبَلِ التَّوْبَةَ عَظُمَتْ خَطِيئَتُهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

How devastating repentance is for the great crimes [one commits]!

مَا أَهْدَمَ التَّوْبَةَ لِعَظِيمِ الْجُرْمِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Allah, the Glorified, does not forbid anything but that He has makes [the people] needless of it

مَا نَهَى اللَّهُ سُبْحَانَهُ عَنْ شَيْ‏ءٍ إِلَّا وَأَغْنَى عَنْهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

There is no good in this world except for two [types of] people: the person who makes amends for the sins that he commits, through repentance, and the person who struggles against his lower-self in obedience to Allah, the Glorified

لَا خَيْرَ فِي الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا لِأَحَدِ رَجُلَيْنِ رَجُلٌ أَذْنَبَ ذُنُوباً فَهُوَ يَتَدَارَكُهَا بِالتَّوْبَةِ وَرَجُلٌ يُجَاهِدُ نَفْسَهُ عَلَى طَاعَةِ اللَّهِ سُبْحَانَهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The blessings of Allah, the Most High, are greater than can be appreciated, except with the help of Allah, and the sins of mankind are greater than can be forgiven, except what Allah pardons [out of His mercy]

نِعَمُ اللَّهِ سُبْحَانَهُ أَكْثَرُ مِنْ أَنْ تُشْكَرَ إِلَّا مَا أَعَانَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَذُنُوبُ ابْنِ آدَمَ أَكْثَرُ مِنْ أَنْ تُغْفَرَ إِلَّا مَا عَفَا اللَّهُ عَنْهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Be careful not to make haste in sinning and to delay repentance, thereby making your punishment greater

إِيَّاكَ أَنْ تُسْلِفَ الْمَعْصِيَةَ وَتُسَوِّفَ بِالتَّوْبَةِ فَتَعْظُمَ لَكَ الْعُقُوبَةُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Is there no one who is repentant for his sins before his death comes?

أَلَا تَائِبٌ مِنْ خَطِيئَتِهِ قَبْلَ حُضُورِ مَنِيَّتِهِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The one who delays seeking repentance is in the greatest danger of the onslaught of death.

مُسَوِّفُ نَفْسِهِ بِالتَّوْبَةِ مِنْ هُجُومِ الْأَجَلِ عَلَى أَعْظَمِ الْخَطَرِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Do not be one of those who hopes for the Hereafter without working [for it], and postpones repentance with long hopes; one who speaks in this world with the words of those who are indifferent [to its pleasures] but acts in it with the actions of the desirous

لَا تَكُنْ مِمَّنْ يَرْجُو الْآخِرَةَ بِغَيْرِ عَمَلٍ وَيُسَوِّفُ التَّوْبَةَ بِطُولِ الْأَمَلِ يَقُولُ فِي الدُّنْيَا بِقَوْلِ الزَّاهِدِينَ وَيَعْمَلُ فِيهَا عَمَلَ الرَّاغِبِينَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who procrastinates in seeking repentance has no faith.

لَا دِينَ لِمُسَوِّفٍ بِتَوْبَتِهِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

He (‘a) said about the one whom he censured: If an evil deed presents itself to him, he commits it with the excuse of seeking repentance [for it later] but when he decides to repent, he delays it and persists in sinningIf he experiences wellbeing, he assumes that he has repented

وَقَالَ فِي ذَمِّ مَنْ ذَمَّهُ إِنْ عَرَضَتْ لَهُ مَعْصِيَةٌ وَاقَعَهَا بِالاتِّكَالِ عَلَى التَّوْبَةِ إِنْ عَزَمَ عَلَى التَّوْبَةِ سَوَّفَهَا وَأَصَرَّ عَلَى الْحَوْبَةِ إِنْ عُوفِيَ ظَنَّ أَنْ قَدْ تَابَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Remorse is [a form of] repentance

النَّدَمُ اسْتِغْفَارٌ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Being remorseful for a misdeed causes it to be wiped off

النَّدَمُ عَلَى الْخَطِيئَةِ يَمْحُوهَا

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Being remorseful for a misdeed is [a form of] repentance

النَّدَمُ عَلَى الْخَطِيئَةِ اسْتِغْفَارٌ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Being remorseful for [committing] a sin prevents one from returning to it

النَّدَمُ عَلَى الذَّنْبِ يَمْنَعُ مِنْ مُعَاوَدَتِهِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Remorse is one of the two [forms of] repentance

النَّدَمُ أَحَدُ التَّوْبَتَيْنِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Be remorseful about the evil that you have done and do not regret the good act that you have performed

انْدَمْ عَلَى مَا أَسَأْتَ وَلَا تَنْدَمْ عَلَى مَعْرُوفٍ صَنَعْتَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

It is through disobedience [to Allah] that wretchedness comes about

إِذَا فَارَقْتَ ذَنْباً فَكُنْ عَلَيْهِ نَادِماً

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Many a person remains safe after regret

رُبَّ سَالِمٍ بَعْدَ النَّدَامَةِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Blessed is every remorseful one who regrets his mistake and makes up for his past error

طُوبَى لِكُلِّ نَادِمٍ عَلَى زَلَّتِهِ مُسْتَدْرِكٍ فَارِطٍ عَثْرَتَهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who is remorseful has repented

مَنْ نَدِمَ فَقَدْ تَابَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Remorsefulness of the heart covers up the sin and purges the wrongdoing

نَدَمُ الْقَلْبِ يُكَفِّرُ الذَّنْبَ وَيُمَحِّصُ الْجَرِيرَةَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Admission [of one’s guilt] is [a means of] seeking pardon

الْإِقْرَارُ اعْتِذَارٌ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The one who sins without knowing is free from sin

الْإِنْكَارُ إِصْرَارٌ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who confesses his sins [and feels regret] is repentant

الْمُقِرُّ بِالذُّنُوبِ [بِالذَّنْبِ‏] تَائِبٌ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Confession is the intercessor of the wrongdoer

الِاعْتِرَافُ شَفِيعُ الْجَانِي

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Sometimes the admission of guilt for having committed a sin dispenses with the need for seeking pardon

رُبَّ جُرْمٍ أَغْنَى عَنِ الِاعْتِذَارِ عَنْهُ الْإِقْرَارُ بِهِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The interceder of a sinner is his admission [of guilt], his repentance and his apology

شَافِعُ الْمُذْنِبِ إِقْرَارُهُ وَتَوْبَتُهُ اعْتِذَارُهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Do not dishearten a sinner, for how many a person who is occupied with his sin ends up being forgiven, and how many a person has embarked on a virtuous action which he corrupts at the end of his life and winds up in the fire of hell

عَاصٍ يُقِرُّ بِذُنُوبِهِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ مُطِيعٍ يَفْتَخِرُ بِعَمَلِهِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who admits his wrongdoing deserves forgiveness

مَنِ اعْتَرَفَ بِالْجَرِيرَةِ اسْتَحَقَّ الْمَغْفِرَةَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

How appropriate it is for one who knows his Lord to admit his sins

مَا أَخْلَقَ مَنْ عَرَفَ رَبَّهُ أَنْ يَعْتَرِفَ بِذَنْبِهِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The best intercessor for a sinner is [his] admission [of guilt]

نِعْمَ شَافِعُ الْمُذْنِبِ الْإِقْرَارُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

There is no apology that wipes out sins more than admission [of one’s guilt]

لَا اعْتِذَارَ أَمْحَى لِلذَّنْبِ مِنَ الْإِقْرَارِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

When you do wrong, apologize

إِذَا جَنَيْتَ فَاعْتَذِرْ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who apologizes in a befitting manner deserves to be forgiven

مَنْ أَحْسَنَ الِاعْتِذَارَ اسْتَحَقَّ الِاغْتِفَارَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

He who seeks pardon has not sinned

مَا أَذْنَبَ مَنِ اعْتَذَرَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Seeking forgiveness wipes out [one’s] sins

الِاسْتِغْفَارُ يَمْحُو الْأَوْزَارَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Seeking forgiveness is the remedy of sins

الِاسْتِغْفَارُ دَوَاءُ الذُّنُوبِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

A believer is penitent, repentant and remorseful

الْمُؤْمِنُ مُنِيبٌ مُسْتَغْفِرٌ تَوَّابٌ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Seeking forgiveness has the greatest recompense and the quickest reward

الِاسْتِغْفَارُ أَعْظَمُ جَزَاءً [أَجْراً] وَأَسْرَعُ مَثُوبَةً

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Seek forgiveness and you will be provided sustenance

اسْتَغْفِرْ تُرْزَقْ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The best supplication (or means of coming closer to Allah) is seeking forgiveness

أَفْضَلُ التَّوَسُّلِ الِاسْتِغْفَارُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Verily the servant is [always] between blessing and sin, [and] nothing rectifies [or improves] them except repentance and gratitude

إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ بَيْنَ نِعْمَةٍ وَذَنْبٍ لَا يُصْلِحُهُمَا إِلَّا الِاسْتِغْفَارُ وَالشُّكْرُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Sincere repentance purges one’s sins

حُسْنُ الِاسْتِغْفَارِ يُمَحِّصُ الذُّنُوبَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

A sinner who confesses his sin is better than the obedient one who is proud of his action

سِلَاحُ الْمُذْنِبِ الِاسْتِغْفَارُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

I am amazed at the one who loses hope while he has with him salvation in the form of repentance

عَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ يَقْنَطُ وَمَعَهُ النَّجَاةُ وَهُوَ الِاسْتِغْفَارُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who has been granted [the opportunity to seek] repentance shall not be deprived of forgiveness

مَنْ أُعْطِيَ الِاسْتِغْفَارَ لَمْ يُحْرَمِ الْمَغْفِرَةَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who seeks forgiveness from Allah attains absolution

مَنِ اسْتَغْفَرَ اللَّهَ أَصَابَ الْمَغْفِرَةَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

What a good means [of gaining the pleasure of Allah] seeking forgiveness is!

نِعْمَ الْوَسِيلَةُ الِاسْتِغْفَارُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

There is no intercessor more successful than repentance

لَا شَفِيعَ أَنْجَحُ مِنَ الِاسْتِغْفَارِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Repentance is an eraser [of bad deeds]

التَّوْبَةُ مَمْحَاةٌ [مَنْجَاةٌ]

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Repentance causes [divine] mercy to descend

التَّوْبَةُ تَسْتَنْزِلُ الرَّحْمَةَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Sincere repentance cancels [one’s] sins

إِخْلَاصُ التَّوْبَةِ يُسْقِطُ [تُسْقِطُ] الْحَوْبَةَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Repentance purifies the hearts and washes away sins

التَّوْبَةُ تُطَهِّرُ الْقُلُوبَ وَتَغْسِلُ الذُّنُوبَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Through repentance, sins are purged

بِالتَّوْبَةِ تُمَحَّصُ السَّيِّئَاتُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Through repentance, sins are expiated

بِالتَّوْبَةِ تُكَفَّرُ الذُّنُوبُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The fruit of repentance is correcting the excesses of the self

ثَمَرَةُ التَّوْبَةِ اسْتِدْرَاكُ فَوَارِطِ النَّفْسِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Sincere repentance erases misdeeds

حُسْنُ التَّوْبَةِ يَمْحُو الْحَوْبَةَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

If the people were to turn in repentance [to Allah] and seek forgiveness whenever they disobeyed [or sinned], they would neither be punished nor would they be destroyed

لَوْ أَنَّ النَّاسَ حِينَ عَصَوْا أَنَابُوا وَاسْتَغْفَرُوا لَمْ يُعَذَّبُوا وَلَمْ يَهْلِكُوا

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who makes amends [for his past mistakes] reforms [himself]

مَنِ اسْتَدْرَكَ أَصْلَحَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who rectifies his [past] mistakes reforms [himself]

مَنِ اسْتَدْرَكَ فَوَارِطَهُ أَصْلَحَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who repents [with sincerity] has indeed returned [to Allah]

مَنْ تَابَ فَقَدْ أَنَابَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

It is by returning [to Allah] that forgiveness is gained

مَعَ الْإِنَابَةِ تَكُونُ الْمَغْفِرَةُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The smallest [amount of] repentance and seeking forgiveness purges sins and repeated misdeeds

يَسِيرُ التَّوْبَةِ وَالِاسْتِغْفَارِ يُمَحِّصُ الْمَعَاصِيَ وَالْإِصْرَارَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech