that some members of his community will be punished for their sins, either in this world or in the Hereafter. This is attested by mass-transmitted reports, foretold by the truthful and trusted Prophet, and agreed upon by the early generations of this community and its leading scholars. Instances witnessed in this world are more numerous than anyone but Allah can count. Allah Most High has said:

“It is not a matter of your wishes or the wishes of the People of the Book: whoever does evil will be recompensed for it.”

Seeking forgiveness and repenting may concern having neglected the better course. Someone who is brought to a better state than before may repent of his former state. Blame and threats of punishment, however, apply only to sin.

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As for the questioner’s words:

“Is merely acknowledging a sin, together with belief in Allah’s oneness, sufficient to ensure its forgiveness and relief from the distress arising from it, or is something else required?”

The answer is that what ensures forgiveness, together with belief in Allah’s oneness, is the repentance that has been commanded. Allah does not forgive associating partners with Him except through repentance, as He says in two places in the Quran:

“Indeed, Allah does not forgive associating partners with Him, but He forgives anything less than that for whom He wills.”

Whatever falls short of associating partners with Allah is forgiven with repentance; without repentance, its forgiveness is subject to His will. As Allah Most High says:

“Say: O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of