The Salaf would seek enormous repentance and seeking of forgiveness, day and night, [in Ramadan or otherwise] based on their knowledge that they could not become safe from sins in their acts even if it were one; even in their acts of obedience to Allâh, therefore this thought pushed them to seek forgiveness from Allâh as a result of their coming short in their humility to Allâh, and their awareness that Allâh is aware of that.

Allâh the Great has said:

“And all of you beg Allâh to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful.” (Nuur: 31).

The Messenger of Allâh has said:

"و الله إني لأستغفر الله و أتوب إليه في اليوم أكثر من سبعين مرة"

‘By Allâh and I turn to Him in a day in what is more than seventy times.’

[Al-Bukhâri (11/101) and Muslim (17/24) in this version:

"فَإِنِّي أَتُوبُ فِي الْيَوْمِ إِلَيْهِ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ"

‘Verily I do turn in repentance to him daily hundred times.’]

One of the Salaf (may Allâh bestow mercy on him) said:

‘Whoever does not repent every morning and evening is among the wrongdoers’.

Allâh the Most High has said:

“And whosoever does not repent, then such are indeed Zâlimûn (wrong-doers, etc.).” (Hujurât: 11). Yahya bin Muâdh (may Allâh bestow mercy on him) used to say:

‘One failing after repentance is dirtier than seventy failings before it.’

Sufyân bin Uyaynah (may Allâh bestow mercy on him) was asked:

‘What is the sign of a pure repentance?

He said:

‘Humbling one’s soul, seeking enormous closeness to Allâh with obedient acts, and making one’s soul to see that one has done little as regard that.’

Fudayl bin Iyâdh (may Allâh bestow mercy on him) would say to the Mujahidin when they wanted to set out on a Jihad.

‘Repentance is enjoined on you for it defends you from what the sword cannot.’

The Leader of the Faithful, Umar bin Khattâb (may Allâh be pleased with him), would say:

‘Sit with those who turn in repentance to Allâh for their hearts are the softest.’

So know O my brother, be much in seeking forgiveness for you and in this world, for it extinguishes the Anger of The Compeller; and never you think of your sins being overlooked when you have done nothing which the Sharî’ah says can expiate sins. Perhaps you have not met all the conditions of repentance and know that a believer would not have rest of mind until he enters the Paradise; try to understand this, and praise the Lord of the worlds.