The Book of Repentance - Sahih Muslim 2675 i

Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His servant when he turns penitently towards Him than one of you would be on finding the lost camel.

Commentary on the Hadith

This profound narration illustrates the immense magnitude of divine mercy and Allah's boundless pleasure in accepting the repentance of His servants. The comparison to finding a lost camel in the desert - which for an Arab traveler meant the difference between life and death - demonstrates that Allah's joy exceeds even the most intense human happiness.

The camel represents one's most valuable possession, essential for survival in harsh desert conditions. Just as a person experiences overwhelming relief and joy upon recovering such a vital possession, Allah's pleasure at a servant's repentance is even greater. This emphasizes that no sin is too great for Allah's forgiveness when accompanied by sincere repentance.

The hadith encourages believers to never despair of Allah's mercy, regardless of the magnitude of their transgressions. It reveals that the divine response to human repentance is not merely acceptance, but active pleasure and delight - a profound theological insight into the nature of Allah's relationship with His creation.

Conditions of Valid Repentance

Scholars have established that sincere repentance (tawbah) requires three essential conditions: ceasing the sin immediately, feeling genuine remorse for having committed it, and firmly resolving never to return to it. If the sin involved rights of other people, restitution must also be made.

This hadith serves as powerful encouragement for those who might hesitate to repent due to feelings of unworthiness or fear of rejection. It assures believers that the door to divine mercy remains open and that their return is met with the greatest divine pleasure.