(8) “O you who believe, turn to Allah in sincere repentance. It may be that your Lord will absolve you of your evil deeds and admit you into Gardens beneath which rivers flow, on the Day when Allah will not disgrace the Prophet and those who believed with him. Their light will stream ahead of them and to their right. They will say, ‘Our Lord, perfect our light for us and forgive us. You are truly Most Capable of all things.’”

In this verse, Allah commands sincere repentance and promises in return the absolution of evil deeds, admission into the Gardens, triumph, and success. On the Day of Resurrection, the believers will proceed by the light of their faith, walk in its radiance, and enjoy its refreshment and comfort. They will grow apprehensive when lights are extinguished—lights not granted to the hypocrites—and will ask Allah to perfect(1) their light for them. Allah will answer their prayer, and what they possess(2) of light and certainty will bring them to the Gardens of bliss and the presence of the Generous Lord. All this is among the fruits of sincere repentance.

What is meant is a general and comprehensive repentance encompassing every sin, which the servant sincerely pledges to Allah, seeking nothing through it except His Countenance(3) and nearness to Him, and in which he remains steadfast under all circumstances.