The word tauba is derived from ta'b means to come back or
return. Thus, tauba basically means return (from sin). The
adjective nusuh means sincere, is the companion of the noun
tauba. God demands of the believers a "sincere return" (taubatan
nusuhan), and He in turn will make them enter paradise (66:8)
Once Mu'adh bin Jabal said, "O'Prophet! What is sincere
repentance (tauba nusuha)?" The Prophet said, "A man be contrite
for the fault that befell him and apologizes to God, then as
milk returns not to the udder, he shall not return to it"
(Tabari, 1:38). God Himself is described as the accepter of
tauba (9:104, 40:3, 42:25). Tauba or repentance is a contrition
or regret and self-mortification with the intention of obtaining
God's pardon. Repentance can, however, only be accepted as long
as one remains a believer: "Those who disbelieve after their
believing then increase in disbelief, their repentance
(taubatuhum) shall not be accepted and these are they who go
astray" (3:90). But the term tauba may denote not