He indicated (işāra) the states (aḥwāl) of the murīds (aspirants, disciples). Junayd, on the other hand, indicated the tawba (repentance) of the verifiers (muḥaqqiqūn). They do not remember their sins because the majesty of Allah and the constant dhikr (remembrance of God) prevail over their qalb (hearts). (Qushayrī, 50)
When Būshanjī was asked, "What is tawba (repentance)?" he replied: "If you remember your sin, and at the moment of remembering it you do not take pleasure in it, then that is tawba (repentance)."
Ibn ʿAtāʾ said: "Tawba (repentance) is of two kinds: tawba of ināba (repentance of turning back) and tawba of istijāba (repentance of responding). The tawba that the servant performs out of fear of the punishment Allah may inflict is the tawba of ināba; the tawba performed out of modesty before Allah's generosity is the tawba of istijāba." (Qushayrī, 51)
Linguistically, tawba (repentance) means rujūʿ (returning). The phrase "he repented" means "he returned." The reality of tawba is to turn from what Allah has prohibited to the beautiful commands of Allah. (Hujwīrī, 351)
There are three causes for tawba (repentance): First, if the qalb (heart) is overtaken by fear of punishment and sorrow for committing ugly deeds prevails, remorse arises. Second, when desire for (divine and otherworldly) blessings prevails in the qalb (heart), and it is understood that such blessings cannot be attained by turning to ugly deeds and opposing the commands, then regret is felt along with the hope of attaining these blessings. Third, it is to feel shame because "Allah sees what I do" and to feel remorse for opposing His commands. Of these three types of tawba, the one who fulfills the first is called tāʾib, the second is called munīb, and the third is called awwāb.
Tawba (repentance) has three maqāms (spiritual stations): the first is tawba, the second is ināba, and the third is awba. Tawba is fear of punishment, ināba is seeking reward, and awba is obedience to the command. For tawba is the maqām (station) of the common people and pertains to major sins. For the Real (al-Ḥaqq), Exalted is He, has said: "O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance (tawba nasūḥa)" (al-Tahrīm 66:8). Ināba is the maqām of the near ones (muqarrabūn) and the walī / awliyāʾ (friends of God). For this reason, Allah has said: "Whoever fears the Most Merciful unseen and comes with a heart turned in repentance (qalb munīb), for them is Paradise" (Qāf 50:33-34). Awba is the maqām of the prophets and messengers. For this reason, Allah, Exalted is He, said (about Dāwūd): "What an excellent servant! Indeed, he was one repeatedly turning back (awwāb)" (Ṣād 38:30). (Hujwīrī, 351-352)
Tawba (repentance) is the turning from major sins to obedience; ināba is the turning from minor sins to the state of maḥabba (love); awba is the turning from the nafs (lower self) to Allah, Exalted is He. The difference is clear between one who turns from major sins to Allah's commands, one who turns from the insinuations (promptings) of Satan and delusion to the state of maḥabba, and one who turns from his nafs to the Real (al-Ḥaqq). (Hujwīrī, 352)
Tawba (repentance) is a divine support (taʾyīd rabbānī); sins (maʿāṣī) are bodily acts. When remorse enters the qalb (heart), there remains no instrument in the body to remove the remorse of the qalb... Tawba is of three kinds: the first is from error to reward (ṣawāb); the second is from reward to ...