Repentance Based on Intention and Inner Transformation
In the light of the teachings of Abdülkadir Geylânî, repentance is not limited to simply feeling regret; it also expresses a profound inner transformation. True repentance is a process determined by the sincerity of a person’s intention and translating that intention into action. This process requires deepening awareness of past mistakes and avoiding similar behaviors in the future. As Geylânî emphasized, the foundation of repentance is the upheaval within a person’s inner world and the regret it brings; however, sincere repentance also involves transforming that feeling into action.
Turning to the Past: Reckoning and Amends
One of the fundamental elements of repentance is reckoning with the past. According to Geylânî, a person who repents should review every moment of their life, deeply examining the mistakes they have made. This process encompasses not only sins but also missed opportunities and neglected duties. To make amends for past mistakes, it’s essential to relive the past in a way and attempt to correct the effects of those actions. If prayers or fasting have been neglected, making them up is considered a critical step in fulfilling past responsibilities and opening a clean page towards the future. This process of atonement extends beyond worship to include demonstrating the same sensitivity in social relationships.
Prudence and Continuity: The Burden and Benefit of Repentance
It is important for a person who repents to act prudently, carefully evaluating every action, and choosing the safest path in cases of doubt. Geylânî’s teachings emphasize that repentance is an ongoing process; this does not mean that past mistakes have been completely erased, but rather it aims to develop an internal mechanism to prevent future errors. Repentance is not only individual purification but also a way to draw closer to God and gain His pleasure; therefore, the sincerity and continuity of repentance directly contribute to a person’s spiritual development. In this way, a person learns from their mistakes, progresses towards becoming a more virtuous person, and ultimately becomes worthy of God’s mercy.
Fasting, Zakat, and Hajj: The Place of Sacred Duties
In Geylânî’s works, the relationship between repentance and acts of worship such as fasting, zakat (charity), and hajj (pilgrimage) is explained in detail. It is emphasized that fasting should be made up if it has been missed, unless there is a condition of travel or illness, and that zakat should be calculated from the time of maturity. Hajj is a mandatory obligation to be fulfilled according to one’s physical and financial capabilities; even in cases of impossibility, it is recommended to go on pilgrimage through different means (as a beggar or through charities). If these acts of worship are neglected, it is essential for a person to make amends for these shortcomings in their repentance process as a demonstration of loyalty to Islam; because these acts of worship not only fulfill material obligations but also offer an opportunity for spiritual purification and closeness.