How can I be saved from my past sins?

Finding salvation from past sins and returning to inner purity and peace is one of the deepest and most vital quests in the spiritual journey of any human being. The Holy Quran, this guiding book, offers clear solutions for this purpose with words full of hope and mercy. The first and foremost step to free oneself from the burden of past sins is to recognize and sincerely believe in the boundless mercy of God. The Almighty God has repeatedly emphasized in the Quran that one should never despair of His mercy, even if one's sins are numerous. This hope is the primary source and motivation for embarking on the path of repentance and return. Without this certainty in divine forgiveness, a person might fall into the abyss of despair, deeming themselves unworthy of pardon, whereas this itself is a trap of Satan, who seeks to distance humanity from God's threshold. The second and very crucial step is Tawbah Nasuh, or sincere and unreserved repentance. Tawbah Nasuh goes beyond mere verbal articulation; it comprises three fundamental pillars without which repentance is neither complete nor accepted: heartfelt regret for the sin committed, immediate cessation of that sin, and a firm resolve not to return to it in the future. This regret must be so profound that it takes root in one's being and transforms them from within. Abandoning the sin means completely severing any ties with it and avoiding situations and factors that lead to its repetition. And firm resolve implies that one wholeheartedly decides never to revert to that transgression. If the committed sin involves the rights of others (i.e., Haqq al-Nas, where someone's right has been violated), another part of repentance is to compensate for that right or seek forgiveness from the wronged individual. God is Forgiving, but He forgives the rights of His servants only with their consent. The Quran emphasizes that good deeds have the power to erase bad deeds. This is a Quranic principle, as stated: 'Indeed, good deeds do away with ill deeds' (Surah Hud 11:114). This means that after repentance, one must strive to fill their life with good actions, sincere worship, helping the needy, truthfulness, trustworthiness, and everything that falls within the sphere of divine obedience. These righteous acts not only purify the human soul and bring one closer to God but also, in a way, compensate for past mistakes. This is an active and dynamic process; mere regret is not enough; it must be accompanied by a change in behavior and a positive orientation in life. The Almighty God not only forgives the sins of the repentant but, in verses like those in Surah Al-Furqan, states that He transforms their evil deeds into good ones, which is the ultimate manifestation of divine grace and generosity, and a sign of the Lord's greatness and mercy. Furthermore, continuous prayer (Dua) and seeking forgiveness (Istighfar) are among the ways that keep a person steadfast on the path of purity and away from sin. Humbly and submissively asking God for forgiveness, constantly seeking His help to overcome satanic temptations, and continually remembering His greatness and the insignificance of sin, keeps the heart alive. This Istighfar should not merely be a verbal utterance but should arise from the depths of the heart, with a true understanding of the gravity of sin and the need for divine pardon. This continuous connection with God serves as a strong shield against returning to sins and a way to strengthen the will to live on the righteous path. Ultimately, for complete salvation from past sins, it is necessary not only to compensate for the past but also to build a healthy and righteous future for oneself. This includes avoiding environments and individuals that lead one towards sin, and establishing connections with righteous and believing people who encourage one in good deeds. Changing one's lifestyle, strengthening resolve through worship and servitude, and constantly being mindful of death and the afterlife are factors that help maintain steadfastness on the path of repentance. The Quran teaches us that the door of divine mercy is always open, and whenever a servant returns to Him with sincerity and devotion, they are not only forgiven but their status and rank before the Lord are also elevated. Therefore, the path to salvation from past sins is a journey that begins with hope in divine mercy, continues with sincere repentance and righteous deeds, and culminates in continuous seeking of forgiveness and a lasting change in lifestyle.