Repentance - in Islam

In Islam

The word tawbah (repentance) in Arabic literally means 'to return', and is mentioned in the Qur'an. In an Islamic context, it refers to the act of leaving what Allah Has prohibited and returning to what He Has Commanded. The act of repentance can redeem the sins and give the opportunity to go to Heaven. These awards are noted in Quran verse as follows.

O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance. Perhaps your Lord will remove from you your misdeeds and admit you into gardens beneath which rivers flow the Day when Allah will not disgrace the Prophet and those who believed with him. Their light will proceed before them and on their right; they will say, "Our Lord, perfect for us our light and forgive us. Indeed, You are over all things."

Although repentance is considered as one act that can be used for cleansing the sins, the Quran noted that not all of the sins are forgiven. There is one sin that cannot be forgiven after believing period. The sin is well known as Shirk. The shirk itself is considered as an act of worshipping another god beside the Truly God. Two verses are giving comments regarding Shirk, and .

Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allah has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin.

Islam does not accept the concept of original sin, instead it teaches that a person is born in a state of innonence and pure belief. The person remains in that state of sinlessness as along as they have not reached the age of puberty. After which they are accountable for their sins.