Beg Allaah to Forgive You!

وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

"And all of you beg Allaah to forgive you, O believers, that you may become successful!"

[An-Nur 24:31]

Sheikh Uthaimeen رحمه الله says: 

"This verse shows that Repentance is an act deemed compulsory upon every mature, sane individual, because of the order entailed in this Verse. The Sheikh points out, that merely saying the words like Ya Allaah Agfirhlee (Oh Allaah forgive me), but at the same time persisting upon a sin or sins, and refusing to give up this sin, then this form of Tawbah will not benefit the individual and is at the same time mocking Allaah the Most High." 

(Sharh Riyaad'us Saaliheen, Chapter of Tawbah vol.1, pg.62-63)

Ibnul Qayyim رحمه الله says:  

 This verse should make us think, because this verse was sent down in Medina immediately after the Companions emigrated, after they left their houses, spouses, children, and most beloved city and even then Allaah ordered them to repent. I say: how is it with those who like us did not do all of these things (that the noble Companions did) and are much lower in status then these noble Companions? Should we not be the first ones to Repent to Allaah?