Can one live in sin and still remain a believer?

Understanding the relationship between sin and faith is a profound and crucial topic in Islamic teachings and the Holy Quran. The answer to whether one can live in sin and still remain a believer requires detailed elaboration. From the Quranic perspective, faith (Iman) is not a static or unchanging concept; rather, it is like a sapling that needs watering and care. It is strengthened by good deeds and weakened by sins. The Holy Quran clearly emphasizes that Allah Almighty is Forgiving and Merciful, and the door of repentance is always open to His servants. This is one of the greatest hopeful teachings in Islam: even if a person commits a sin, as long as the spirit of faith is alive within them and they have hope in divine mercy, they can repent and return to God. For instance, in Surah Az-Zumar, verse 53, Allah mercifully states: "Say, 'O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by committing sins], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.'" This verse clearly indicates that sinners should not despair of Allah's mercy; instead, they should return to Him. This Quranic message draws an important distinction between disbelief (fundamental denial) and sin (practical disobedience). A sinner, as long as they accept the fundamental principles of belief in God, the Day of Judgment, and prophethood, does not exit the sphere of faith, although their sins may weaken and make their faith fragile. In fact, many Quranic verses and prophetic traditions encourage believers to repent and seek forgiveness, which itself is evidence of the possibility of faith coexisting with sin; for if sin completely nullified faith, there would be no need to call believers to repentance. However, it must be noted that this does not imply that sin is trivial or that committing it is permissible. Insisting on sin and repeating it without repentance and remorse gradually hardens and darkens the human heart, diminishing the light of faith within it. The Holy Quran, in verses like Surah An-Nisa, verse 17, refers to prompt repentance: "The acceptance of repentance by Allah is only for those who do evil in ignorance and then repent soon after. It is those to whom Allah will turn in forgiveness, and Allah is ever Knowing and Wise." This verse states that repentance is valuable when it is accompanied by remorse and a quick return after committing a sin. This indicates that a believer who commits a sin should feel remorse and seek to rectify it, not continue in sin indifferently. Sin can create a barrier between a person and their Lord, stripping away the joy of worship and supplication. A believer who persistently lives in sin might outwardly be a Muslim, but the depth and quality of their faith suffer serious damage over time. Moreover, the Quran also emphasizes that good deeds erase bad deeds. In Surah Hud, verse 114, we read: "And establish prayer at the two ends of the day and at the approach of the night. Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds. That is a reminder for those who remember." This verse offers renewed hope to the sinful believer, suggesting that by increasing good deeds, they can remove the rust of sins from their heart and rebuild their faith. Therefore, living in sin does not mean living without restraint; rather, it is a continuous struggle between the commanding self (nafs al-ammarah) and faith. A true believer is one who, even after committing a sin, does not surrender and always remains on the path of return and repentance, never despairing of Allah's forgiveness. Faith is a dynamic state that requires continuous self-purification and struggle against worldly desires. If sin does not lead to the denial of religious principles, the individual remains within the sphere of faith, but they must understand that every sin is an arrow aimed at the root of faith, weakening it and diminishing its vitality. Thus, one can live with sin, but only as long as the heart is filled with repentance and hope in God; otherwise, accumulated sins without remorse will gradually wither away faith.