Why do some people find it easier to repent?

The question you've raised is profoundly deep and resonates with the spiritual concerns of many individuals. The feeling of, “Why do some people repent easier than me?” signifies an awakened heart that yearns to return to God and attain purity. In the Quranic tradition and Islamic teachings, repentance (Tawbah) is one of the most beautiful and hopeful concepts; it’s an open door to boundless divine mercy that never closes, except at the very last moment of life. To understand this perceived difference in the “ease of repentance,” we must look at various dimensions, including divine mercy, sincere intention, internal and external obstacles, and divine facilitation. The first and most crucial point to believe in is the boundless mercy of Allah. The Holy Quran repeatedly emphasizes this divine attribute. In Surah Az-Zumar, verse 53, Allah says: “Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], 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 illuminates the light of hope in the heart of every sinner, indicating that the path back is always open, and no sin is so great that Allah cannot forgive it, provided the sinful servant returns to Him with sincere intention. Therefore, if someone repents, this itself is a divine favor (Tawfiq) and a sign of the open door of mercy, not that Allah has made it easier for some and harder for others. Rather, it is the individual's inner readiness and capacity that aligns with this mercy. True repentance is 'Tawbah Nasuh,' sincere repentance, as mentioned in the Holy Quran (Surah At-Tahrim, verse 8): “O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance. Perhaps your Lord will remove from you your misdeeds and admit you to gardens beneath which rivers flow…” Sincere repentance has three fundamental pillars: first, heartfelt remorse for the sin committed; second, a firm resolve not to return to that sin; and third, making amends for sins that can be compensated for (such as violating others’ rights). Individuals for whom repentance seems easier might have stronger roots in these three fundamental pillars within their beings. That is, their remorse is deeper, their resolve is firmer, and their readiness to make amends is greater. This depth and rootedness cause the process of repentance to transform from a superficial act into an inner transformation, consequently making it more calming and seemingly “easier” for the individual. Internal obstacles also play a significant role in the difficulty of repentance. Pride and arrogance are among the greatest hindrances. A soul that considers itself superior and is reluctant to admit its faults and weaknesses cannot easily bow before the threshold of repentance. Satan, too, strives vehemently to deter humans from repenting; sometimes by tempting them to commit more sins, and sometimes by instilling despair in their hearts, conveying the thought that their sins are too numerous to be forgiven. Allah states in Surah An-Nisa, verse 17: “Indeed, Allah accepts the repentance of 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 indicates that promptness in repentance, meaning returning “soon after” and without delay, is of special importance. Perhaps those for whom repentance seems easier benefit from this promptness and do not allow the whispers of Satan or the burden of sin to overwhelm their hearts. They might give themselves less opportunity to despair due to their sins or fall into heedlessness. This “ease” might be the result of self-discipline and continuous mindfulness that prevents the roots of sin from deepening in the soul. Furthermore, divine facilitation (Tawfiq) is highly decisive in this path. Repentance, on one hand, demands human effort and will, and on the other hand, requires divine aid and guidance. Allah grants Tawfiq to whomever He wills, but this facilitation is not without prerequisites. When a servant takes a step towards Allah, Allah also helps him. Perhaps those for whom repentance is easier place themselves more exposed to this divine Tawfiq; for instance, by attending gatherings of remembrance (Dhikr), associating with good people, persisting in acts of worship, and contemplating divine verses, they prepare their hearts to receive divine guidance and mercy. These individuals might have a deeper understanding of remorse and shame before the greatness of Allah, and this understanding smooths the path of repentance for them. On the other hand, comparing oneself to others in spiritual matters is not always advisable. Every human being traverses their unique path in life and in their relationship with Allah. The “ease” you perceive in others might be the result of their inner struggles and endeavors that you are unaware of. Perhaps they too faced many difficulties initially but, through perseverance and effort, prepared their hearts to receive divine mercy. The important thing is that you too should not despair of Allah’s mercy and, with sincerity and remorse, no matter how difficult it feels, return to Him. Every step taken towards Allah will be met with His acceptance. The very feeling of remorse and the inclination to repent is a sign of divine mercy that has touched your heart. Cherish this feeling and know that Allah welcomes every repenter, even if they have sinned many times and broken their repentance repeatedly. Ultimately, your focus should be on sincere intention and taking steps towards repentance, not on comparing its difficulty or ease with others. Supplicate to Allah and ask Him to make the path of repentance easy for you, soften your heart, and keep you steadfast on this path. Know that whenever a human being returns to Allah with sincere intention, not only are their sins forgiven, but as stated in Surah Al-Furqan, verse 70: “Except for those who repent, believe and do righteous work. For them Allah will replace their evil deeds with good. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.” This divine promise is the pinnacle of mercy and forgiveness, showing that the path is open to everyone, regardless of the initial difficulty they feel. So, do not give up on striving for repentance and hope in the grace of Allah.