It is God alone who can accept the repentance of His servants
and is the true recipient of whatever is offered for His sake.
At-Tawbah 9:104, tr. Asad
Beware! Don’t allow yourself to do
what you know is wrong, relying on the thought,
“Later I will repent and ask God’s forgiveness.”
True repentance flashes inside and rains tears.
Such lightning and clouds are needed.
Without the lightning of the heart
and the rain storms of the eyes,
how shall the fire of Divine wrath be calmed?
How shall the greenery grow
and fountains of clear water pour forth?
Rumi, Mathnawi II:1652-1656, tr. Helminski