Q 2: a person was a hypocrite and a thief but pretending to be (Part No. 24; Page No. 356) a good Muslim. However, he turned to Allah with sincere repentance and regretted what he used to do. He asked the forgiveness of those whom he had wronged directly or through letters. What is the attitude of Islam towards such a person?

A: If the reality is as you have mentioned that this person turned to Allah in sincere repentance with regard to his acts of hypocrisy and theft and asked the forgiveness of those whom he had wronged, Allah will pardon him and change his evil deeds into good ones, as a mercy from Allah (Exalted be He). Allah (Glorified be He) says, 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. He also says, 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. (Part No. 24; Page No. 357) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.