Confessing Sins and Regret for it

2. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Faddal from those whom has mentioned (in his book) from abu Ja’far عليه السلام who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far عليه السلام has said, ‘By Allah, Allah, the Most High, wants two characteristics from people: to confess that He has granted them favors so He will increase them and to confess their sins so He will forgive them.”’

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ‘Umar (‘Amr) ibn ‘Uthman from certain individuals of his people who has said the following: “I heard Abu ‘Abdillah عليه السلام saying, ‘A man commits a sin and because of it Allah will admit him in paradise.’ I asked, ‘Will Allah admit him in paradise because of his sin?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, he commits a sin and continues living in fear, and angry on his own self. Allah then grants him mercy and admits him in paradise.’”

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Sinan from Mu’awiyah ibn ‘ Ammar who has said the following: “I heard Abu ‘Abdillah عليه السلام saying, ‘By Allah a servant cannot get out of sin while persisting in it and a servant cannot get out of sin without confessing to it.’”

5. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Imran ibn al- Hajjaj al-Subay’i (from Muhammad ibn Walid) from Yunus ibn Ya’qub who has said the following: “I heard Abu ‘Abdillah عليه السلام saying, ‘If one commits a sin and knows that Allah is aware of it. He punishes him if He so wills or forgives him if He so wills. In such case. He (Allah) forgives him even if he does not ask forgiveness.’”

6. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from Muhammad ibn Ali from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Muhammad ibn abu Hashim from ‘Anbasah al-‘Abid from Abu ‘Abdillah عليه السلام who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah عليه السلام has said, ‘Allah loves that a servant asks Him for help in great crimes and He hates the servant who considers trivial sins insignificant.’”

7. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Isma’il ibn Sahl from Hammad from Rib’i from Abu ‘Abdillah عليه السلام who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib عليه السلام has said, ‘Regret for an evil deed leads one to stay away from it.’”

8. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from al-Husayn al-Daqqaq from ‘Abd Allah ibn Muhammad from Ahmad ibn ‘Umar from Zayd al-Qattat from Aban ibn Taghlib who has said the following: “I heard Abu ‘Abdillah عليه السلام saying, ‘If a servant commits a sin and then regrets, Allah forgives him before he asks forgiveness. If a servant receives a favor from Allah and he learns that it is from Allah, He grants him forgiveness (protection) before he offers his thanks.’”