Fatwa

Is shirk forgiven after repentance

Fatwa #687 Category: Aqaaid (Beliefs) Country: Zambia Date: 29th November 2021
Fatwa #687 Date: 29th November 2021
Category: Aqaaid (Beliefs)
Country: Zambia

Question

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله

I had a question regarding surah nisa verse 48. Where it says Allah forgives all sins except shirk. We know that non muslims are forgiven when they recite kalima. But what if a Muslim commits shirk, will he be forgiven?

Jzk

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

Almighty Allah says in the Holy Quran,

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَغْفِرُ أَنْ يُشْرَكَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَلِكَ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ (النساء: 48)

Translation: “Indeed, Almighty Allah does not forgive partners being ascribed to Him, and He forgives besides that (any sin) for whomsoever He wishes.”

The above verse refers to those who die whilst associating partners with Almighty Allah. As for those who have repented, Almighty Allah will certainly forgive them. Consider the following,

قُلْ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِنْ يَنْتَهُوا يُغْفَرْ لَهُمْ مَا قَدْ سَلَفَ وَإِنْ يَعُودُوا فَقَدْ مَضَتْ سُنَّتُ الْأَوَّلِينَ (الأنفال: 38)

Translation: Say to those who have disbelieved, if they cease (from disbelief) their past will be forgiven. But if they persist, then they have an example in those destroyed before them.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: التَّائِبَ مِنَ الذَّنْبِ كَمَنْ لَا ذَنْبَ لَهُ

Translation: “Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, the one who repents from a sin is like one who has not committed a sin.” (Ibn Majah – 4250) [1]

The doors of repentance from each and every kind of sin remain open until the throes of death. Therefore, even shirk will be forgiven should an individual repent sincerely, and why not, Almighty Allah is Ever Forgiving, Most Merciful. 

عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ: إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَقْبَلُ تَوْبَةَ الْعَبْدِ مَا لَمْ يُغَرْغِرْ

Translation: “Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, Indeed, Almighty Allah accepts the Tawbah (repentance) of His slave until his soul reaches his throat in death.” (Tirmidhi – 3537)

 

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

 

Mufti Bilal Pandor

Checked and Concurred By:

Mufti Muhammad Patel

 

Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah


Lusaka, Zambia

daruliftaazambia.com

 

سنن ابن ماجه ت الأرنؤوط (5/ 320) [1]

4250 – حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ الدَّارِمِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الرَّقَاشِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا وُهَيْبُ بْنُ خَالِدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الْكَرِيمِ، عَنْ أَبِي عُبَيْدَةَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ

عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ – صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ -: “التَّائِبُ مِنْ الذَّنْبِ كَمَنْ لَا ذَنْبَ لَهُ” (2)