At-Tawwib
The Guide to Repentance


It is God alone who can accept the repentance of
His servants and is the true recipient of whatever
is offered for His sake.
At-Tawbah 9:104, tr. Asad

Beware! Don't allow yourself to do
what you know is wrong, relying on the thought,
"Later I will repent and ask God's forgiveness."
True repentance flashes inside and rains tears.
Such lightning and clouds are needed.
Without the lightning of the heart
and the rain storms of the eyes,
how shall the fire of Divine wrath be calmed?
How shall the greenery grow
and fountains of clear water pour forth?
Rumi, Mathnawi II:1652-1656, tr. Helminski