whereas whoever abandons fear of Allah has his affairs made difficult. Goodness, ease, happiness, and tranquility lie in obedience, while evil, misery, and hardship lie in disobedience.

ʿAbdullāh ibn Masʿūd—may Allah be pleased with him—said: “A good deed brings radiance to the face, light to the heart, abundance in provision, strength to the body, and love in the hearts of creation. A sin brings a darkening of the face, darkness in the heart, weakness in the body, diminished provision, and hatred in the hearts of creation.”1

In any event, sins cause the servant immense harm in his heart, body, wealth, and entire life. There is no evil or malady in this world that is not caused by sins and acts of disobedience. Their evil effects and blameworthy consequences, which harm the heart and body in this world and the Hereafter, are known only to Allah.2

Therefore, every Muslim must be exceedingly wary of sins and acts of disobedience, repent to Allah—Mighty and Majestic—from every sin and misdeed, and turn penitently to his Lord and Master so that he may attain happiness and tranquility and achieve success in this world and the Hereafter. Allah Most High says: “Turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, so that you may succeed.” 3 There is no path to success except through repentance, which means turning away, both outwardly and inwardly, from what Allah hates and turning toward what He loves, both outwardly and inwardly. Repentance is therefore obligatory and incumbent upon every Muslim man and woman. The Quran, the Sunnah, and the consensus of the early generations of the Muslim community all furnish abundant proof that it is obligatory.