:sl:
From my notes :
تاب يِتُوب (ن) توبة ’ متاباًTheir exact meanings are
- He repented /regretted
- He returned
As far as returning is concerned one example is very good. Let us suppose there is a crossing from which many pathways are emerging like "x" y" z" a" b" c". There is only one pathway "a" at the end of which your destination is situated. You want to reach that destination. But unfortunately you adopt a wrong pathway. After traveling a while you realize your fault. Now what is the correct attitude .
- standing over there and just repenting or
- coming back (returning) to the crossing and adopting the correct
pathway. This returning is called "TAUBA"
Let us see an example you have grabbed some money from a person by cheating him. After some time you realize that that you have done wrong and you want to "TAUBA". What is the correct method a?
-
- just repenting and weeping in front of Allah or
- - First returning that money to the owner and then seeking
forgiveness from Almighty Allah. This is the correct concept of Tauba.
As in English, when a verb takes different prepositions, there is change in the meanings. The same is true for Arabic.
- تاب من كذا = To repent from sin or something like that
- تاب الى الله = To repent and return to Allah (used for human beings)
- تاب علىالمؤمن = To return to mercy to His slaves (used for Allah)
تائب = The person who repents
توّاب = It has two meanings
-
- When used for human being it means that who repents a lot.
- When used for Allah Almighty, it means who forgives a lot.
:w: