while he has not yet freed himself of sin; rather, he is God-fearing in the very act of freeing himself from it.

Furthermore, if someone performed righteous deeds while persisting in a major sin and then repented, his evil deeds would necessarily be erased through repentance and those good deeds accepted, even though he had been a sinner when he performed them.

Moreover, when a disbeliever embraces Islam while still bearing liability for wrongs against others, such as killing, seizing property, and slander—the same applies when a non-Muslim subject under Muslim protection embraces Islam—his conversion is accepted despite those outstanding claims against him. If deeds were accepted only from someone bearing no major sin, such a person’s conversion would not be valid until he repented of his shameful deeds and injustices. Indeed, despite embracing Islam, he would be condemned to eternal punishment. Yet people embraced Islam during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, while having known sins and outstanding liabilities. Their conversion was accepted, and they would repent to Allah, Glorified is He, of the wrongs for which they remained accountable.

As established in al-Sahīh:

“Al-Mughīrah ibn Shu‘bah had accompanied some people during the pre-Islamic period, betrayed them, and taken their property. He then came and embraced Islam. When ‘Urwah ibn Mas‘ūd came in the year of al-Hudaybiyyah, al-Mughīrah was standing beside the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, holding a sword. Al-Mughīrah pushed him back with the sword, and he asked, ‘Who is this?’ They replied, ‘Your sister’s son, al-Mughīrah.’ He said, ‘You traitor! Am I not still trying to make amends for your treachery?’ The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, ‘As for his conversion to Islam, I accept it; as for the wealth, I will have nothing to do with it.’”

The Most High has said:

“Do not turn away those who call upon their Lord morning and evening, seeking His Face. You are not accountable for them in any way, nor are they accountable for you in any way. Were you to turn them away, you would be among the wrongdoers.”

And they said