Allah Almighty says: {If you are prompted by Satan’s provocation, seek refuge with Allah.} [Surat Fussilat: 36] He also says: {Those who fear Allah, when an evil whisper comes to them from Satan, they remember Him and immediately come back to their senses.} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 201] He also says: {And those who, when they commit a shameful act or wrong themselves, remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins – who can forgive sins except Allah? – and they do not persist in what they did knowingly. Their reward is forgiveness from their Lord and gardens under which rivers flow, abiding therein forever. How excellent is the reward of those who do [righteous] deeds!} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 135-136] He also says: {And turn to Allah in repentance all together, O believers, so that you may be successful.} [Surat an-Nūr: 31]
1) It is not permissible to get deceived by the respite Allah Almighty grants us because feeling secure from the plan of Allah Almighty is a trait of the hypocrites and disbelievers.
2) If one commits a sin, he is required to return to his Lord and repent to Him. Indeed, Allah loves the oft-repentant.
3) Repentance to Allah Almighty requires that one should depart from polytheism to monotheism, from religious innovations to adherence to the Sunnah, and from sins to obedience.
There are four requirements for repentance, as mentioned early in the book (Chapter on Repentance).
1807/1 - Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever swears by Al-Lāt and Al-‘Uzza (pagan idols) should say: ‘Lā ilāha illallāh (There is no god but Allah).’ And whoever says to his companion: ‘Come and gamble with me’, should give charity.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
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1) The remedy for something lies in its opposite. So, whoever takes an oath of polytheism should say the word of monotheism to correct his error. Likewise, whoever commits a sin can cure it by performing an act of obedience.
2) Good deeds blot out evil ones. A fortunate believer would follow evil deeds with good ones to preserve his faith and the soundness of his heart.