Shaykh al-Islām was asked about a Muslim who, in his youth, committed a sin warranting shunning and avoidance. One group said, “He should seek Allah’s forgiveness, and he should be pardoned and all his past deeds overlooked.” Another group said, “It is not permissible to take him as a brother or keep his company.” Which of the two groups is closer to the truth?

He replied:

There is no doubt that whoever sincerely repents to Allah will have his repentance accepted by Allah, as the Most High says:

“He is the One who accepts repentance from His servants, pardons their sins, and knows what you do.”

The Most High also says:

“Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of Allah’s mercy. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins.’”

That is, for those who repent. This being so, if the man repents, then does righteous deeds for a year without going back on his repentance, his repentance is to be accepted, and people may sit with him and speak to him. If, however, he repents but a year has not yet passed, the scholars have two well-known views concerning him.

Some say that people may sit with him immediately and his testimony may be accepted. Others say that a year must pass, as was the practice of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb with Sabīgh ibn ‘Isl. This is one of