The Tree of Repentance and the Water of Remorse
Human nature is inherently inclined towards sin; however, the only refuge that saves one from destruction is sincere repentance. Abdülkadir Geylânî (q.s.) emphasizes that spiritual awakening comes from “cultivating the tree of repentance with the water of remorse.” The mere words “I repent,” spoken with the tongue, are like a sapling doomed to wither unless watered by genuine regret (remorse) and tears in the heart. A person must emerge from the grove of heedlessness they find themselves in, abandon that shadow nourished by the waters of ignorance, and step onto the illuminated path of God. The only way to cleanse the garment of religion is to wash away the dirt of sins with the water of repentance. Otherwise, approaching God with a soiled and rusted heart will bring nothing but disappointment.
Return Not Only With Words, But With the Heart
The true meaning of repentance is for the servant to completely detach from the environment, surroundings, and bad character traits (nature) that cause sin. Hazrat Geylânî reminds us of the verse, “Turn unto Allah with your heart. Repentance is made to Allah… Return to your Lord (Zumar, 54)” emphasizing that this return requires absolute inner resolve. Turning away from sin is like a slave fleeing his master returning to his master’s door in tears and humbling himself. It is essential for a person to cleanse both their outward appearance and inward being at the time of repentance; however, repentance first occurs with the heart, then it reflects upon the limbs. A person should end their mistakes not only out of fear but out of genuine shame (in the true sense, not metaphorical) before God.
The Danger of Breaking Repentance
The greatest enemy of authentic repentance is repeatedly returning to the same sins (breaking repentance). Geylânî (q.s.) strongly warns believers, saying, “Beware, beware, do not repent and then break your repentance. Be very fearful of returning to what you have abandoned.” A person’s repentance alone is not a feat; the true feat is completing one’s life with steadfastness and consistency without breaking that repentance. Planting a tree is not considered an accomplishment; the real accomplishment is nurturing it, protecting it, and reaping its fruit. A servant who breaks their repentance due to fleeting desires, bad companions, or the instigation of the ego faces the danger of being deprived of divine mercy and incurring the wrath of his Lord on the Day of Judgment.