The Repentant in the Holy Quran

ABSTRACT The "Awwābūn" (those who constantly return to God) in the Holy Qur’an are devout worshippers who continuously turn to Allah in repentance and submission in all circumstances. They are mentioned in various verses of the Qur’an, which highlight their characteristics and their esteemed status in the sight of Allah, the Almighty. The Qur’an gives great importance to the concept of awbah (returning to God), due to its crucial role in human life. Humans are in constant need of returning to their Lord because of their frequent sins, slips, and shortcomings. Thus, it becomes necessary for them to shift from a state of wrongdoing to repentance and sincere turning back. This process is ongoing and never-ending, as the human soul is, by nature, inclined to evil. Humanity is weak and always in need of Allah’s mercy and forgiveness. The Qur’an urges us to follow the example of the prophets and messengers, peace be upon them, in how they turned back to God — in times of ease and hardship, in prosperity and adversity. It also guides us to emulate the repentance of the righteous believers, showing how their sincere return earned them Allah’s pleasure and a lofty status in this world and the Hereafter.