Man, by nature has been created weak. To err is only human and man commits wrongdoings repeatedly. The solution to this in God’s court is known as repentance. Repentance is to turn around in regret and express remorse after wrongdoing resolving to reform oneself. In this connection, a verse from the Quran says:

But God undertakes to accept repentance only from those who do evil out of ignorance and those who repent soon after. God turns towards such people with mercy; He is the All-Knowing and All-Wise. (THE QURAN 4:17)

According to this verse of the Quran, the right method of repentance is the one that is done without any delay. Repentance done later on is not the correct method. Repentance without delay is in accordance with the law of nature, and repentance at a later stage is in contradiction with the law of nature.

The right method of repentance is the one that is done without delay.

God, the Creator has endowed man with a faculty known as conscience. As soon as man commits a sin, his conscience is aroused. He feels a deep remorse for the wrong committed, but this remorse does not remain at the same level eternally. Initially, this remorse is intense and painful, but slowly it weakens. If repentance is delayed further, this feeling of remorse disappears completely and the strong motivation for reform will fade away. He will be aware of the wrong committed but he will not feel the need to reform himself.

If earlier, his case was one of a live conscience; with the delay, his conscience will become lifeless. Man must understand and acknowledge this law of nature and should openly repent as soon as he commits any wrong. If he delays in his repentance, he will lose all awareness for the need to repent.