Repentance to Allah as a Collective and Seeking Testimony from Scholars

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

   Allah, (the Most High), says in the Noble Qur'an:

"O you who believe! Return to Allah in pure repentance!"(Surah At-Tahrim, 66:8)

   This and similar verses teach the demand that believers must repent. Repentance (Tawbah) can be carried out individually or communally. Repentance is also allowed to be made in front of a pious scholar or a spiritual teacher, but on condition of their testimony and help. It is such a counter to the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

   For one of the functions of the mission of the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) was to be a witness over his ummah:

"Indeed, We have appointed you as a witness, a bearer of glad tidings, and a cautionary figure." Surah Al-Fetih, 48:8)

   The life of the Prophet (pbuh) presents examples of collective resolve and taubah. An obvious example is the Pledge (Bay'ah) of Aqabah, when delegations of believers gave their establishment of allegiance to the Prophet, whom Allah accepted and was satisfied with.

" For Allah was truly satisfied with the faithful when they pledged their loyalty to you under the tree......"(Surah Al-Fetih, 48:18)

   In another verse, the matter of the Prophet (pbuh) seeking forgiveness from Allah on behalf of those who committed sins is emphasized:

"And when they returned to you and made this acknowledgment of guilt—when they had wronged their own souls? The Prophet would have asked forgiveness for them, or not asked forgiveness for them; Allah (Himself) is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Surah An-Nisa, 4:64)

Or other verses, where the testimony of the scholars and the angels is mentioned:

“Allah affirms that there is no god but Him, a declaration supported by the angels and those with knowledge, who recognize His role in upholding justice in creation. He is the only deity, the All-Powerful and the All-Wise." (Surah Aal Imran, 3:18)

In the Qur’an we also have the prayer of Prophet Yusuf (pbuh), he is not only seeking forgiveness for his parents but also for the believers:

" Our Creator, please grant forgiveness to me, my parents, and all the faithful on the Day of Judgment “ (Surah Ibrahim, 14:41)

   Thereby collective and public repenting before the Sunni ulemaa has no relation to shirk whatsoever. In this respect, the Islamic notion is completely unalike to many others in other religious traditions.

   True scholars and those who are rightly guided never direct people to themselves for repentance; rather, they guide them towards Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). Repentance begins with the words, "O my Lord..." They do not offer any guarantee that a person's repentance will be accepted. Instead, they emphasize that the One who accepts repentance is Allah the Exalted. Their role is merely to serve as guides and facilitators, helping people turn to Allah in sincere repentance.

   In contrast, in some other belief systems, religious clergy claim to forgive sins themselves—placing themselves in the position of God and removing Allah from the equation entirely.

   Today, unfortunately, there are slanderers who liken Sunni scholars to the clergy of other religions. These individuals not only backbite and slander the Rabbani scholars—those who sincerely follow the path of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and call people to repent to Allah—but in doing so, they also expose their own ignorance and lack of spiritual insight (ma‘rifah of Allah).