What is the requirement for repentance from sins involving physical rights, such as retribution (Qisas) or Hadd for slander (Qadhf)?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Testimonies
Primary text
If the right pertains to the body, such as Qisas or Hadd for slander, repentance necessitates gaining control over oneself and submitting oneself to the rightful claimant. If the right belongs to Allah, such as Hadd for adultery or drinking alcohol, repentance is achieved through regret and resolving not to relapse; confession (Iqrar) is not a condition for its validity.
Supporting text
If the sin involving a bodily right is not famous, the person should conceal themselves and repent privately between themselves and Allah, because the Prophet, peace be upon him, stated, "Whoever commits any of these obscenities, let him conceal himself with the covering of Allah, for whoever exposes his own private matter to us, we will execute the prescribed penalty upon him." The Ghāmidiyyah woman, when she confessed to adultery, the Prophet, peace be upon him, did not object to her confession.