Q: I am a young man from Algeria. I am highly educated and love reading books. The hobby of reading books caused me to correspond with some Christian radio stations. After long correspondence with such radio stations and the presents they sent me, I embraced Christianity. I took some Christians living in foreign countries such as Germany, France, Sweden, Switzerland, and America in particular, as friends. I was fully convinced with this religion. I became a full Christian. I began to call some of my friends (Part No. 24; Page No. 327) to this religion. Like me, they began to correspond with such radio stations and such foreign friends. One day I read a magazine on Islam and Christianity, a matter that caused me to return to Islam. It is worth mentioning that I abandoned Christianity forever. Dear respectable shaykh, this is a summary of my story with Christianity. Corresponding with you, I want to find an answer to the following questions: What should I do with regards to the presents I received from the Christian radio stations? Will Allah pardon me as I am fully sorry for what I have done? Some preachers said to me, "Allah will not forgive you as you abandoned Islam." As a result, I lead a miserable life which only Allah knows. I frequently observe supererogatory Sawm (Fast) and perform supererogatory prayer. I lead a miserable life as I fear that Allah may punish me and cause me to die as a disbeliever.

A: All praise be to Allah Who guided you to repentance of apostasy from Islam. We ask Allah to make us adhere to the religion of Islam. We ask Allah to accept your repentance, as Allah (Glorified be He) ordered us to turn to Allah in repentance for the sins we commit and promised to accept our repentance. Allah (Exalted be He) says, Say to those who have disbelieved, if they cease (from disbelief), their past will be forgiven. Also, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, Islam wipes out all that has gone before it (previous misdeeds). And penitence also wipes out all that has gone before it. It was authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, He who repents of his sins is like a person who did not commit a sin. Repentance is accepted from the sinner, the disbeliever and the apostate if (Part No. 24; Page No. 328) they sincerely turn to Allah in repentance. Allah (Exalted be He) says, And He it is Who accepts repentance from His slaves, and forgives sins, and He knows what you do. Allah (Exalted 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. Scholars unanimously agreed that this noble Ayah (Qur'anic verse) was revealed with regard to those who turn to Allah in repentance of their sins. Those who told you that your repentance is not accepted are mistaken and release Fatwas without knowledge. In addition, we advise you to stay away from all the means leading to trials and temptation. Also, you have to avoid those calling to aberrance. Moreover, you have to do much good deeds and learn useful knowledge. Allah is the One Who guides to the Straight Way!May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.