‘Abdallah b. Mas'ud reported God’s messenger as saying, “He who repents of a sin is like him who has committed no sin.” In Majah and Baihaqi, in Shu'ab al-iman, transmitted it, the latter saying its only transmitter was an-Nahrani who is unknown. In Sharh as-sunna a tradition traced no farther back than him is transmitted in which he said, “Nadam is repentance, and he who repents is like him who has committed no sin.”
Commentary on the Hadith of Repentance
This noble tradition from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) establishes a profound spiritual principle: sincere repentance erases the spiritual consequences of sin, restoring the believer to a state of purity as if the sin had never been committed. This demonstrates the vastness of divine mercy.
The Meaning of Nadam (Regret)
The clarification in Sharh as-Sunnah defines "nadam" as the very essence of repentance (tawbah). This internal state of profound regret and remorse is the foundational pillar upon which true repentance is built, distinguishing it from mere verbal utterance.
Conditions of Valid Repentance
Scholars stipulate that for repentance to achieve this erasing effect, it must meet three conditions: 1) Ceasing the sin immediately, 2) Feeling genuine remorse for having committed it, and 3) Firmly resolving never to return to it. If the sin involves rights of other people, restitution becomes a fourth condition.
Transmission Note
Imam al-Baihaqi noted the chain's weakness due to an-Nahrani, an unknown narrator. While this affects the hadith's grading, its meaning is supported by Quranic verses and other authentic traditions emphasizing Allah's acceptance of repentance, making its content sound in principle.