Ramadan is the best time to review our life and check if we have done something that Allah dislikes. And surely, because we’re only human, we will make mistakes.

Unlike the Angels, that will only act on Allah’s command, human will initiate a lot of actions in his life according to his brain and common sense. And those actions sometimes won’t be in-line with Islamic values and violate the universal laws.

If you still can feel and aware that you’re making mistakes, then GOOD. That means Allah has yet to sealed your heart. Then after you commit mistakes and you know it, immediately, for your own good: repent.

Your Lord knows best what is in your inner-selves. If you are righteous, then, verily, He is Ever Most Forgiving to those who turn unto Him again and again in obedience, and in repentance.

QS 17:25

Repentance in Arabic called ‘Taubah’ and it literally means returning, turning towards Allah after we took the wrong road and astray. I believe Allah let us making initiatives that can lead us to making mistakes, so that we will gain lessons from that experience. So, by knowing how those mistakes affect our life, we’ll know that we won’t do the stupid mistakes again in the future. And after all those mistakes, Allah still lovingly open door widely for human to ‘return’ to Him.

The first thing we should do to repent: acknowledge our actions, what we have done wrong. Istighfaar. Remember Allah. Ask for Allah forgiveness from the heart, feel the deep remorse, regret what we have done and avoid doing the same mistake again.

Shaqiq said, “Weeping over past misdeeds, being afraid of perpetrating a sin again, forsaking the company of evildoers, and adhering to the company of the righteous- these are the hallmarks of a sincere repentance.”

Offers 2 raka’ats of prayers. Seek forgiveness and truly connect with Allah thru this intimate communication.

Hazrat Abu Bakr radiyallahu anhu, says, “I heard the Holy Prophet sallallahu alaihe wasallam say, ‘There isn’t a man who, when he commits a sin, rises, makes ablution, and offers two rak’ats of prayers, but Allah forgives his sins.’

Help more people. Share more knowledge. Give more charity. Listen to more people in difficulties. Be nice to people. Do more good deeds with the intention to seek Allah’s blessings and to show that you’re really seriously regret on what you did.

And perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), at the two ends of the day and in some hours of the night [i.e. the five compulsory Salat (prayers)]. Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds (i.e. small sins). That is a reminder (an advice) for the mindful (those who accept advice).

QS 11:114

Repent daily. As the Prophet Muhammad SAW was known to repent 100 times a day (while he has already guaranteed a special place with Allah in heaven). Masha Allah.

Knowing your source of misdeeds and avoid. Join the more pious people with sincere heart, that will help protect you from doing the same mistake again.

Will Allah accept our repentance? Don’t worry. Be sure that Allah is loving and forgiving. And Quran confirms:

Verily, He is One Who forgives (accepts repentance), the Most Merciful.

QS 2:37

After we repent, hopefully we will feel that peace of mind and gain more clarity in our mind, to be more aware of signs and guidance that Allah gives to our life. Insha Allah.