Tawba
Definition
Tawba literally means 'to return' — a turning of the heart away from sin and back toward God. Al-Ghazali defines it as a three-part inward event: first, the knowledge that sin is a veil between the servant and his Lord; second, a deep remorse that makes the heart ache over what was done; and third, a firm, sincere resolve to abandon the sin immediately and never return to it. These three must coexist simultaneously for repentance to be genuine. If any element is absent — if one knows the sin is wrong but feels no grief, or feels grief but delays action — then tawba is incomplete. It is the first station on the path to God and the foundation of every subsequent spiritual virtue.
As understood in the classical tradition of Imam al-Ghazali and the scholars of his school.
Appears in
3 books in the library
Hear the term in context.
Every book above uses Tawba the way the classical scholars meant it. Listen with the full Study Kit in the app.