Tauba - Repentance of sins

 What is Tauba:

 

Hadhrat Abu Bakr Katani (May Allah shower His mercy on him) says:  Repentance is a Noor and Tauba is a name with 6 meanings in it:

 

1.  To be remorseful about past sins.

 

2.  To make a firm decision not to sin again.

 

3.  Making up those obligations (Faraaidh) which were not performed.

 

4.  Fulfilling the rights of the creation, which were not fulfilled or exploited.

 

5.  To break down the flesh and fat, which were created through Haraam in the body.

 

6.  Taxing the body through worship, the way it experienced pleasure in sin.

 

The 4 pillars of Tauba:

 

Hadhrat Hasan Basri (May Allah shower His mercy on him) says: Tauba has 4 pillars:

 

1.  To recite Istighfaar (i.e. repent) with the tongue.

 

2.  To be remorseful in the heart.

 

3.  To save the body parts from sins.

 

4.  To have the intention in the heart of not repeating the sin.