Is One General Intention Enough for Repentance, or Must Each Major Sin Have Its Own Intention

Question: Do I have to make a separate intention for repentance (tawbah) for each major sin, or is one general intention sufficient for all of them?

Summary:

One general intention in repentance that includes all sins is sufficient if the conditions are fulfilled. Specifying repentance for each major sin is better and more complete, especially when the sin is repeated. The consideration is the sincerity of the heart and action, not the multiplicity of words or intentions. This is the relied-upon view among Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jamāʿah, in accordance with the Qur’an, the Sunnah, and the understanding of the Salaf.

Answer:

In the name of Allah, all praise is due to Allah, and may Peace and Blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)

First, evidence from the Qur’an

Allah the Exalted said:

From the Qur'an:

  • al-Zumar, 53
    "Say, ˹O Prophet, that Allah says,˺ “O My servants who have exceeded the limits against their souls! Do not lose hope in Allah’s mercy, for Allah certainly forgives all sins. He is indeed the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful."

    The ayah is explicit regarding the generality of forgiveness. It does not restrict repentance to renewing an intention for every sin individually. Rather, it indicates that sincere repentance includes all sins.

  • al-Nūr, 31
    "...Turn to Allah in repentance all together..."

    This is a general command to repent, which indicates that a general repentance is sufficient when its conditions are fulfilled.

Second, evidence from the Sunnah

From the Sunnah:

  • Sunan Ibn Mājah: 4250Narrated by ʿAbdullāh ibn Masʿūd (may Allah be pleased with him):
    “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘The one who repents from sin is like one who did not sin.’”

    The hadith is general and does not require multiple intentions. Rather, it connects the ruling to the reality of repentance itself.

  • Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī: 3537Narrated by ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them both):
    Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Indeed Allah accepts the repentance of a slave as long as (his soul does not reach his throat).”

    This indicates the vastness of acceptance as long as repentance is sincere.

From the Scholars:

  • Al-Nawawī, may Allah have mercy on him, said:
    “If a servant repents with a valid repentance from all sins, his repentance from all of them is accepted, even if he did not specify every sin individually.”
  • Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, said:
    “Sincere repentance may be from a specific sin, and it may be a general repentance that includes all sins. If it is sincere, it is accepted.”
  • Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him, said:
    “Repentance is of two types, general from all sins, and specific from a particular sin. The specific is more complete, and the general is valid and accepted.”
  • Al-Qurṭubī, may Allah have mercy on him, said:
    “Whoever repents with a general repentance, it includes major and minor sins if its conditions are fulfilled.”

the correct criterion in this matter: Sound repentance is not based on the number of intentions, but on the fulfillment of its conditions, which are, remorse over the sin, abandoning it, firm resolve not to return, and restoring rights if they exist. If the general repentance is sincere and comprehensive, all major sins enter into it. However, if there is a specific sin that is repeated or related to the rights of people, then specifying repentance for it is more obligatory and more complete.

And Allah knows best.

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