Repentance Later Still Has Value
In English, there is an expression: “It’s no use crying over spilt milk.” In Malay, there is a proverb: “Regret comes first as gain, regret after brings no benefit.” In Indonesian, there is a saying: “Rice has already become porridge.” All these expressions, proverbs, and sayings carry the same meaning—that what has already happened cannot be undone. Therefore, one should be cautious before acting and deliberate carefully before making decisions.
In everyday life, this is indeed the case. However, in matters of religion, it is not so. As reported by Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim from Abu Said al-Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him, the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said that in ancient times there was a man from the Children of Israel who had killed 99 people. He then wished to repent. He asked whether there was a learned man who could help him.
The killer was advised to meet a learned man (monk). He asked the monk whether his sins could be forgiven. The monk answered: they cannot be. Upon hearing this answer, the killer killed the monk. Thus, he completed the killing of 100 people.
Nevertheless, the killer still wished to repent. He asked whether there was a learned man who could help him repent. He was advised to meet a learned man in another country. He proceeded to that country to meet the learned man. To the learned man, the killer conveyed that he had killed 100 people and asked if he could repent. The learned man answered that he could repent. The learned man pointed him towards another person and the country where that person lived.
The killer travelled to the place of the learned man in question. However, he died before reaching his destination. An angel of punishment and an angel of mercy arrived. The angel of punishment wished to punish because the killer had not yet performed any good deeds whatsoever. The angel of mercy objected because the killer had already intended to repent.
To resolve the dispute, an angel in human form was sent. The angel suggested that the matter be decided by measuring the distance between the place of departure (origin) and the destination. Whoever was closer would determine whether it was the angel of mercy or the angel of punishment who was rightful. Both angels agreed. After measurement, it turned out the killer was closer to his destination. Finally, it was decided that his repentance was accepted. The killer was taken by the angel of mercy.
The story in the hadith above contains two meanings. First, that Allah is the Most Merciful Lord. Allah says: “Your Lord has prescribed mercy upon Himself. Whoever among you does wrong in ignorance and then repents after that and corrects himself—indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful” (Quran 6:54). Consistent with the verse above, the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said: “Indeed, My mercy precedes My anger” (recorded by Bukhari and Muslim from Abu Hurairah).
Second, human beings are given by Allah the opportunity to improve themselves and repent before death comes. In a hadith recorded by Imam Tirmidzi and Ibn Majah, the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said: “Indeed, Allah accepts the repentance of His servant before the soul reaches the throat.”
The opportunity to become good and improve oneself always exists. The door of repentance is always open. Repentance later still has value, as long as the soul remains in the body.