In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Al-Hasan Al-Basri [may Allah have mercy upon him] said, “Sincere repentance is that the slave shows regret for what has elapsed (of his sins) and is determined not to return to them”. Al-Kalbee [may Allah have mercy upon him] said, “It is to seek Allah’s forgiveness with the tongue, being regretful in the heart and restrain the limbs (from committing the sins again)“. [1]

Shaqeeq Al-Balkhiy [may Allah have mercy upon him] said, “The signs of repentance are weeping due to what has preceded (of sins), fear of falling into sin again, keeping away from evil companions and accompanying the good people“. [2]

Some of these signs of repentance are only known to Allah, such as weeping, showing remorse, etc. Then what remains is that a person will be judged by his apparent deeds and companionship. Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab [may Allah be pleased with him] said: “People were (sometimes) judged by the revealing of a Divine revelation during the lifetime of Allah’s Messenger but now there is no longer any more (new revelation). Now we judge you by the deeds you practice publicly, so we will trust and favour the one who does good deeds in front of us, and we will not call him to account about what he is really doing in secret, because Allah will judge him for that; but we will not trust or believe the one who presents to us an evil deed even if he claims that his intentions were good”. [3]

Imaam Abdul-Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allah have mercy upon him] said: “Whoever manifests good, it will be accepted from him and a good suspicion is held about him. And if he manifests evil, it will be held against him and an evil suspicion is held about him”. [4]

[1] Madaarij As-Saalikeen 1/309-310

[2] Nazhatul Fudalaa Tah’dheeb Siyar A’laam An-Nubulaa. 711

[3] Saheeh Bukhaari; Vol 3; Hadith Number:2641]

[4] An Excerpt from Al-Hulalul Ibreeziyyah Min At-Taleeqaat Al-Baaziyyah Alaa Saheeh Al-Bukhaariy page:397 Vol 2 footnote 1]