Q: A young man says, "I am seventeen years old. Thanks to Allah, I carefully observe the religious obligations that Allah ordains on His Slaves. I do my best to be a perfect slave of Allah but I feel that I unconsciously commit a grave sin that consigns me to Allah's Punishment and Wrath. I feel that I am like the man hit by an arrow in the battle of Khaybar. Upon seeing so, the Muslims said, "May he enjoy Paradise!" Then, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, Never, by the One in Whose Hand is my self, the sheet (of cloth) which he had taken (illegally) on the day of Khaybar from the booty before the distribution of the booty, would become a flame of Fire burning him. To summarize, I commit a sin that I do not know of. What should I do regarding this feeling? I do not know whether it is a proof of righteousness and piety or anything else. Please, advise.
A: In fact, this is an indication of the strong fear you have of Allah (may He be glorified) and that you glorify His Prohibitions. Thus, you are good, if Allah wills. I recommend you to get rid of this unjustified fear, for it is unhealthy and Satanic. It troubles, frustrates, and angers you. It is a satanic insinuation. When he finds you loving goodness, fearing Allah, and undertaking good deeds, he tries to interrupt you. You should disobey this insinuation and reject it. Have faith in your Lord and know that returning to Allah in repentance is sufficient even if the sin is the most grievous. Allah's Forgiveness is far above any sin, no matter how great it is! No doubt, there is no sin greater than Shirk (ascribing partners to Allah), which Allah forgives if one shows repentance of it. All you are asked for is offering repentance of the sins you have committed and after that there is nothing more. Allah (Glorified be He) said,
Say to those who have disbelieved, if they cease (from disbelief), their past will be forgiven. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: And all of you beg Allâh to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful In these verses Allah hinges forgiveness and success on repentance. He (may He be Exalted and Glorified) said, Say: "O 'Ibâdî (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allâh: verily, Allâh forgives all sins. Truly He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Scholars (may Allah be merciful to them) agreed that this verse was revealed concerning the penitents. You have to repent to Allah (may He be Praised) from what you know or do not know of the sins you committed by regretting your past sins, giving up disobedience, and determining sincerely not to return to it again. One should do so hoping for Allah's reward, glorifying Him, seeking His Pleasure, and avoiding His Punishment. Have glad tidings with good and good consequences, which Allah promised the penitents and always remember Allah's Saying, And verily, I am indeed forgiving to him who repents, believes (in My Oneness, and associates none in worship with Me) and does righteous good deeds, and then remains constant in doing them, (till his death).
There is another Ayah (Qur'anic Verse), which is more indicative of this meaning for it states that Allah replaces bad deeds with good deeds, if the sinner returns to Allah in repentance and follows it with faith and good deeds. Allah (Exalted be He) said in Surah Al-Furqan, And those who invoke not any other ilâh (god) along with Allâh, nor kill such person as Allâh has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse - and whoever does this shall receive the punishment. The torment will be doubled to him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein in disgrace; Except those who repent and believe (in Islâmic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds; for those, Allâh will change their sins into good deeds, and Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Allah states that He replaces their misdeeds with good ones owing to their sincere repentance, faith, and good deeds. As for you, your admittance of the sin which was followed by returning to Allah in repentance, continuing offering righteous deeds, having faith and believing in Allah and hoping for His reward will include you among those whom Allah replaces their wrongdoings with good ones. This is Allah's rule in the matter of sins; if a slave repents to Allah from his misdeeds and follows his wrongdoings with faith and kind acts, Allah will replace the sins with good deeds as a kind of grace and bounty from Him. Praise and Thankfulness be to Him for that.