Abdurahman:

There is a difference on that verses application. Some hold it to be applicable to those who accepted Islam after Kufur and others hold it to be for the sinners who repent to Allah. If we combine the large number of Hadith material that promises the prospect of forgiveness for both, I see no problem in expanding the beautiful promise of this verse to both parties.

May Allah forgive us, accept us and give us thabat.

SDW

Their are two prevailing understandings of this verse and taking them hand in hand is also acceptable.

#1 That indeed, as the literal understanding suggests, when one truly repents from a sin. Then Allah will not only forgive that sin but replace it in ones book of account as a good deed which is of course multplied by ten. This is most drastically seen in the revert although it also applies to a Muslim who repents from a given sin.

#2 That naturally when someone truly repents the sign of this true repentence is that thier choice to repent- and no one can make a choice without the Tawfeeq of Allah- will naturally cause him or her to leave that sin and replace it with a good deed since the act of following bad with a good deed is the best way of repentence and just simply leaving a bad deed and not replacing it makes it easier to fall back into it. So those of true repentence will be known by thier disassociation with sin and constantly seeking piety. This is most apparent in a person who reverts to Islam and thus both of these meanings are usually applied to thier case although I am not aware of an opinion that this verse is specific to a new-Muslim rather it is general for all whether repenting from Kufr or sins.

Wallahu a’lam

Abu Majeed

The Prophet said, “The one who repents from sin, is like one who has no sin.”

SDW

for those who have committed mistakes in the past, does this ayah in Surat al-Furqaan apply to them or does it apply to non-Muslims? What do the scholars say in regards to this?

68 And those who do not invoke with Allah another deity or kill the soul, which Allah forbidden except by right, and do not commit adultery. And whoever should do that will meet a penalty.
69 Multiplied for him is the punishment on the day of resurrection and he will abide therein humiliated.
70 Except for those who repent, believe and do righteous work. For them Allah will replace their evil deeds with good. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.