The short answer
Do not use a relapse as a reason to despair. Allah tells sinners not to despair of His mercy [1], and the Prophet ﷺ described Allah's pleasure at a servant's sincere return [2]. Repent again, take steps to stop the harm and seek help if you need it.
The Quran directly addresses people who have gone too far against themselves and tells them not to despair of Allah's mercy 1. It also describes those who repent, believe and do righteous work, for whom Allah can replace bad deeds with good 2. These verses give hope, but they do not make a sin harmless or remove the duty to repair harm to another person.
The Prophet ﷺ said that Allah is more pleased with a servant's repentance than a person who finds a lost camel in a desert 3. Sincere repentance means turning back honestly: stop the sin, regret it, intend to avoid it and restore another person's right if someone was harmed. If you fall again, repent again rather than deciding that repentance was pointless. A previous promise does not prove that your present intention is false; be honest about what led to the relapse and take stronger practical steps.
Remove a trigger, ask a trustworthy person for support or seek professional help if the behaviour feels compulsive. A qualified scholar can advise on specific obligations or restitution. The texts promise a door back to Allah, not instant freedom from every habit. Hope and accountability belong together.
Allah tells people who sinned not to despair of His mercy.
۞قُلۡ يَٰعِبَادِيَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسۡرَفُواْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ لَا تَقۡنَطُواْ مِن رَّحۡمَةِ ٱللَّهِۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَغۡفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًاۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ ٥٣
Say, "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful
Repentance, faith and righteous work follow wrongdoing in this verse.
إِلَّا مَن تَابَ وَءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلࣰ ا صَٰلِحࣰ ا فَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ يُبَدِّلُ ٱللَّهُ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِمۡ حَسَنَٰتࣲۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورࣰ ا رَّحِيمࣰ ا ٧٠
Except for those who repent, believe and do righteous work. For them Allah will replace their evil deeds with good. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful
Allah is more pleased with a servant's repentance than a person finding a lost camel.
Narrated Anas bin Malik:Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His slave than anyone of you is pleased with finding his camel which he had lost in the desert
حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ، أَخْبَرَنَا حَبَّانُ، حَدَّثَنَا هَمَّامٌ، حَدَّثَنَا قَتَادَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا أَنَسُ بْنُ مَالِكٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم. وَحَدَّثَنَا هُدْبَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا هَمَّامٌ، حَدَّثَنَا قَتَادَةُ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " اللَّهُ أَفْرَحُ بِتَوْبَةِ عَبْدِهِ مِنْ أَحَدِكُمْ سَقَطَ عَلَى بَعِيرِهِ، وَقَدْ أَضَلَّهُ فِي أَرْضِ فَلاَةٍ ".
This answer was compiled with the help of AI, using only the verified texts shown here. Every reference links to its source. If you find a mistake, please report it. Updated 2026-09-25