How do we repent in Islam? Is there any Dua or prayer that we should perform? Is paying Zakat or any charity counted as repentance if that was our intention?
The most important conditions of Tawbah (repentance) are:
1. To really repent the sinful act and,feel sad and sorry about it.
2. To firmly decide not to do it again,
3. Immediately returning the rights of others if the sin involved rights of others. No Tawbah can be granted with out these conditions which are obligatory and compulsory.
It is very important to seek the Waseela of the Prophet (SAWA) and Ahlul Bayt (AS) in getting our supplication and Tawbah accepted by Allah, as we read in Quran Sura 4, Verse 64 (Had they when they did wrong, come to you, and begged Allah for forgiveness, and the Prophet prayed for their forgiveness, they should have found Allah accepting their repentance and Merciful). No doubt, when the Prophet is no more among Muslims,BT heir real successors Ahlul Bayt are in his place.
Giving Zakat and Khums is obligatory on those who have. Giving charity is always good and helps in purifying ourselves from sinful acts.
Wassalam.