Repentance is a positive and voluntary act that leads a person back to God, while regret is merely a lamentation of the past.
Repentance (Tawbah) and regret (Nadam) are both related to human errors and sins, but they have fundamental differences. In Islamic culture, repentance means returning to God and compensating for one's wrongdoings. It is essentially a positive and voluntary act performed by an individual who has committed a sin. The Holy Quran refers to repentance as one of the most important human actions. Allah says in Surah At-Tahreem, verse 8: 'O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance' (At-Tahreem: 8). This verse emphasizes that repentance must come from the depths of the heart and with a genuine intention. In contrast, regret is merely a feeling of sorrow and remorse for past actions that may not lead to behavioral change. Regret can remind an individual of their sins but does not guide them towards correction and repentance. The feeling of regret may lead one to depression and despair, while repentance provides a path back to God and enables one to reform their behavior. Thus, while regret is a negative and unproductive feeling, repentance is an active and positive action that can propel an individual towards spiritual growth and moral development.
O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance.
So Moses came at the appointed time, and he said, 'My Lord, show Yourself to me.' He said, 'You cannot bear to see Me.'
And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their chastity.
One day, a wise man said to a young man: 'O young man! Always remember that repentance is an opportunity that lies in your hands.' The young man replied, 'I am regretful and feel that I can no longer compensate.' The wise man smiled and said, 'Repentance opens the doors of God's mercy. Instead of being sorrowful, turn back to God and ask for His forgiveness.'