Is it possible for those who committed sins like rebellion and denial, which are contrary to the majesty of God Almighty, to be forgiven after repentance?

- Will you give examples from history about the lives of such people who committed such sins, repented and followed the true path?

Dear Brother / Sister,

Man was created with a characteristic that can prefer belief and unbelief. If he prefers the way of unbelief and denies his Lord in this world, which is a place of testing, and if he realizes his mistake afterwards and turns toward his Lord, who is the Merciful and the Pardoner, Allah will forgive him.

As a matter of fact, it is stated in the Quran that all sins can be forgiven. Some verses regarding the issue are as follows:

"He (Allah) loves those who keep themselves pure and clean." (al-Baqara, 2/222)

It is definite that Allah will not punish those whom He loves.

"And whoever repents and does good has truly turned to Allah with an (acceptable) conversion." (al-Furqan, 25/71)

"Unless he repents, believes, and works righteous deeds, for Allah will change the evil of such persons into good, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (al-Furqan, 25/70).

"And those who, having done something to be ashamed of, or wronged their own souls, earnestly bring Allah to mind, and ask for forgiveness for their sins,- and who can forgive sins except Allah?- and are never obstinate in persisting knowingly in (the wrong) they have done. For such the reward is forgiveness from their Lord, and Gardens with rivers flowing underneath,- an eternal dwelling: How excellent a recompense for those who work (and strive)!" (Aal-i Imran, 3/135-136).

The best examples among the people who lived as sinners but who repented afterwards and whose beliefs were accepted are the Companions. The lives of Wahshi and Khalid b. Walid are examples of it.

Khalid b. Walid, who regarded the call of Islam as a movement that destroyed the customs and traditions of the Era of Jahiliyya and eliminated the pride and racism of tribes, thought like his father, members of other tribes and the notables of Quraysh in terms of enmity against the religion of Islam and hatred against Hz. Muhammad and those who believed in him. During the Battle of Uhud, he attacked the Islamic army from behind and changed the result of the battle when he saw that some Muslims left Aynayn Hill despite the definite order of the Messenger of Allah   

Khalid b. Walid went to Madinah after the Battle of Khandaq in 629 and became a Muslim. When Khalid asked the Prophet (pbuh) to pray to Allah for his sins to be forgiven, the Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Islam erases the previous sins."

The first battle that Khalid took part as a Muslim was the Battle of Muta (September, 629). Khalid saved the Islamic army from being destroyed by the Byzantine army. When he returned to Madinah, the Messenger of Allah gave him the nickname "sayfullah" (Allah's sword). He took part in many expeditions after the death of the Messenger of Allah and acted as the commander of the Islamic army.

(see DİA, Halid b. Velid item. Diyanet Vakfı Yayınları)

Questions on Islam