Repentance from Transgressing the Rights of Humans
Fatwa No: 400978

Question

Salam. If its not too much to ask for, would you message the answer to this question privately instead of posting it open for anyone to read? I wouldn’t want to choose wrong ways because of the answer. I recently read about ”huqooq ul ibad” which if I understood correctly, is about sins that includes transgressing rights of humans and that requires their forgiveness in order to make a full tawbah and be forgiven by Allah. Such as stealing something from someone. I was wondering if sins such as zina or things that you do that might lead to zina such as sexting or flirting wguch you do with someone on their approval (mutually) are considered sins that are within the category of huqooq ul ibad? Does one need to apologize to the other persons parents, spouse, children or alike? Even if that person is unmarried and agreed to commit these sins by their will? Or is it enough to make a regular tawbah?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Our view is that this kind of sin does not require you to ask forgiveness from the husband, if you are married, or from other relatives, if you are unmarried. This is because asking forgiveness from people, for this kind of sin, may lead to great harm. This kind of sin only requires that you repent sincerely fulfilling all the conditions of an accepted repentance, such as regretting the sin, stopping the sin and being determined not to repeat it. Once you fulfill these conditions, it will be considered a valid and accepted repentance, Allah willing.

We advise you to abundantly ask Allah to forgive the person whom you have transgressed the rights of.

Allah Knows best.

Related Fatwa