The first cause: Repentance

One who repents of a sin is like one who has no sin. Repentance is accepted for every kind of sin: disbelief, wickedness, and disobedience.

Allah Most High says:

“Tell those who disbelieve that if they desist, what has already passed will be forgiven them.”

[Surah al-Anfāl: 38]

He Most High also says:

“But if they repent, establish prayer, and give zakat, then they are your brothers in faith.”

[Surah al-Tawba: 11]

He Most High also says:

“They have certainly disbelieved who say, ‘Allah is the third of three,’ when there is no deity except the One God. If they do not desist from what they say, a painful punishment will surely afflict those among them who disbelieve. Will they not then repent to Allah and seek His forgiveness? Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

[Surah al-Māʾida: 73–74]

And He says:

“Indeed, those who persecuted the believing men and women and then did not repent will suffer the punishment of Hell and the punishment of the Burning Fire.”

[Surah al-Burūj: 10]

Al-Hasan al-Basrī said: “Behold this generosity and munificence! They persecuted those devoted to Him and tortured them with fire, yet He then calls them to repentance.”

Repentance is open to every believing [servant](1), as Allah Most High says:

“Yet man undertook it. Indeed, he was ever unjust and ignorant—so that Allah may punish the hypocritical men and women and the polytheistic men and women, and accept the repentance of the believing men and women. Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

[Surah al-Ahzāb: 72–73]

Allah has informed us in His Book of His prophets’ repentance and their supplications that He accept their repentance, as in His words:

“Then Adam received words from his Lord, and He accepted his repentance. Indeed, He alone is the Accepter of Repentance, the Most Merciful.”

[Surah al-Baqara: 37]