One Who Repents From His Sin

Question :

What, Noble Shaykh, is your view regarding someone who purposely abandoned the prayer and the fast, but who later not only repented and wept for bygone transgres- sion, but consistently performed all obligatory acts of worship. Is his repentance enough for him or does he have to make up for lost prayers and fasts?

Answer:

Whoever does not pray or fast, but then later repents, does not have to make up for lost prayers and fasts. This is because abandoning the prayer is a major disbelief that takes a person outside of the bounds of Islam, even if the person does not deny its obligation, according to the most correct view of the scholars. Allah Almighty says:
"Say to those who have disbelieved, if they cease (from disbelief) their past will be forgiven."

The Prophet ﷺ said :
"Islam removes what comes before it, and repentance removes what comes before it."

There are many proofs related to this, among them, Allah's saying:
"And verily, I am indeed Forgiving to him who repents, believes and does righteous good deeds, and then remains constant in doing them."

And:
"O you who believe! Turn to Allah with sincere repentance! It may be that your Lord will remit from you your sins, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise)."

The Prophet ﷺ said :
"A person who repents from a sin is like someone who has no sin."


After having repented, one should both do good deeds and ask Allah Almighty to make him firm upon the truth, firm until he dies a good death. And guidance lies with Allah Almighty.

Source:
Ibn Baz
Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 7 Pages 268-269

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