What does Al-twba al-nṣwḥ mean?

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Discover the meaning of the term Al-twba al-nṣwḥ (توبة النصوح) in Islamic vocabulary.

Definition Al-twba al-nṣwḥ

Al-twba al-nṣwḥ according to Kitab at-Ta'rifat (Al-Jurjani)

It is a strict commitment never to return to the like of it. Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, said: Sincere repentance is regret in the heart, seeking forgiveness with the tongue, desisting with the body, and resolving never to return. It has been said: Repentance in the Arabic language means turning away from sin, as does al-tawb. Allah the Exalted said: ﴿ The forgiver of sin, acceptor of repentance ﴾. It has been said: Al-tawb is the plural of tawba. Repentance in the religious law is the return from blameworthy deeds to praiseworthy ones, and it is immediately obligatory according to the general body of scholars. As for the obligation, it is due to His saying: ﴿ And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers ﴾. As for the immediacy, it is because delaying it entails unlawful persistence. Turning to Allah is close in meaning to repentance both linguistically and legally. It has been said: Sincere repentance is that which leaves no trace of disobedience upon a person's deeds, in secret or in public. It has been said: It is that which bequeaths its practitioner success immediately and in the hereafter. It has been said: Repentance is turning away, regret, and desisting. Repentance has three meanings: the first is regret, the second is the resolve to abandon returning to what Allah the Exalted has forbidden, and the third is striving to fulfill rights and redress injustices.

Al-twba al-nṣwḥ according to Al-Qamus al-Fiqhi

According to Ibn Abbas: Regret in the heart, seeking forgiveness with the tongue, desisting with the body, and the resolve never to return. - According to Qatada: It is the truthful and sincere repentance. - According to the Hanafis: It is the strict commitment never to return to the like of it. - According to the Hanbalis: It is regret in the heart, seeking forgiveness with the tongue, the resolve never to return, and avoiding bad company. If it entails an obligation due to Allah the Exalted or to a human being, such as withholding zakat and usurpation, repentance from it is as we mentioned, by leaving the injustice according to one's ability, by paying the zakat and returning the usurped property, or its equivalent if it is fungible, or its value otherwise. If he is unable to do that, he intends to return it whenever he is able. If there is a bodily right involved, and it is the right of a human being, such as legal retribution or the punishment for slander, repentance requires surrendering oneself and making oneself available to the rightful claimant. If it is a right belonging to Allah the Exalted, such as the legal punishment for fornication or drinking alcohol, his repentance is likewise through regret and the resolve not to return, and confessing to it is not required. If that matter has not become notorious regarding him, it is better for him to conceal himself. Repentance concerning what is between him and Allah the Exalted is of that nature.

Related terms: Al-twba al-nṣwḥ