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Imagine a life free from guilt, where repentance, or ‘Toba’, is not just a concept but a lifestyle.

A way of life that brings you closer to Allah and freedom from past mistakes, from harbored feelings of guilt, shame, and self-condemnation.

We may stumble upon a path of sin, negligence, or forgetfulness in our faith journey.

Yet, Islam encounters such realities with compassion.

We are never told to harbor guilt or shame for the rest of our lives.

Allah, in his infinite mercy and wisdom, is more protective of His creations’ hearts than we are of our own.

What Allah asks from us is simple and profound - make Toba, repent, and rectify our actions.

Even if we falter and stumble again, Allah’s mercy and protection encompasses us. All we need to do is repent and attempt to better ourselves.

Hence, guilt or shame doesn’t have to be the narrative of our life.

Regrettably, we’ve allowed guilt to seep into our mindsets.

Allah forgives effortlessly, He is anxious to grant forgiveness.

However, humans are not as forgiving.

Even when apologies are shared and accepted, lingering pain remains in our hearts.

While Allah can wipe a slate clean and replace every bad deed with good ones, humans struggle with such forgiveness. We often carry the weight of past deeds, even after embracing the path of righteousness.

And therein lies the challenge.

We live in an era where, regrettably, guilt is weaponized, often using Islam as the ammunition.

We use our faith to make each other feel bad, to keep each other locked in a state of perpetual guilt.

This is far from the teachings of Islam, which encourages us to make Toba and move on.

Humans have a relentless need for constant remorse. We have created a culture of guilt and shame, where we are expected to live in regret and self-loathing.

Should we regret our mistakes? Absolutely.

Should we strive to make amends? Yes, indubitably.

But we ought to remember that Islam preaches growth, progression, and redemption.

Speaking out and standing for the truth does not necessitate a flawless past.

If sins were to gag us all, then silence would be the only language we know.

But Islam encourages us to continually strive for improvement, to be better individuals, and to play our respective roles in creating a more compassionate, forgiving society.

We can grasp the overarching message of Islam, fostering a culture that speaks truth rather than shaming one’s indiscriminate past.

Immerse in the wisdom of the Sunnah,and remember, Islam is about growth, not guilt.