The Forgiveness of Sins in Islam by Imam al-Adra'î

“O My servants who have committed excesses to your own detriment, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. For Allah forgives all sins. Yes, He is the Forgiving, the Most Merciful.” (Quran, 39/53)

“Fear Allah wherever you are! Follow the bad action with a good action, this will erase it. Treat people with high moral standards. >> (Hadith)

Sins and religious failings should in no case push the believer to despair or discourage them from the path of good action, quite the contrary. This hadith teaches us the right reaction after a sin: ask God for forgiveness and redouble our efforts to do good deeds.

Ablution, prayer, fasting, sadaqa, haj, good character, helping others, good opinion towards God, among others, are all acts of devotion that bring about forgiveness of God.

In another authentic hadith, the Prophet said: "If you did not commit sins, God would remove you and replace you."