In Islam repentance is performed directly between you and God (Allah) so that you don’t need anyone in between . Allah said in the Quran [2:186] “When my servants ask you ˹O Prophet˺ about Me: I am truly near. I respond to one’s prayer when they call upon Me. So let them respond ˹with obedience˺ to Me and believe in Me, perhaps they will be guided ˹to the Right”.
Also you can repent to Allah at any place so that you don’t have to go to a Mosque or any holy place to repent.
In addition, Allah has caused Islam to destroy the sins that came before it. When a disbeliever becomes Muslim, Allah forgives all that he did when he was a non-Muslim, and he becomes cleansed of sin.
Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace (SAW) , said , “Allah Almighty will stretch out His hand during the night, turning towards the one who did wrong during the day, and stretch out His hand during the day, turning towards the one who did wrong during the night, until the day the sun rises from the place it set.” [Muslim]
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “Allah will turn towards anyone who turns in repentance before the time that the sun rises from the place it set.” [Muslim]
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “Allah the Mighty and Majestic accepts the repentance of His servant as long as long as his death-rattle has not begun.” [At-Tirmidhi]
The Messenger of Allah, (SAW) said, “Allah is happier about the repentance of one His slaves than one of you would be about finding your camel which had strayed away from you in the middle of the desert.” [Agreed upon]
Scholars said: It is necessary to repent from every sin. If the offense involves the Right of Allah, not a human, then
there are three condition to be met in order that repentance be accepted by Allah:
1- To desist from committing it.
2- To feel sorry for committing it.
3- To decide not to recommit it.
Any repentance failing to meet any of these three conditions, would not be sound.
But if the sin involves a human’s right, it requires a fourth condition, i.e., to absolve onself from such right. If it is a
property, he should return it to its rightful owner. If it is slandering or backbiting, one should ask the pardon of the
offended.
People run away when they are afraid from something or a dangerous situation, but Allah asked us to run towards him to avoid his punishment.
Allah said in the Quran [51:50] ‘So ˹proclaim, O Prophet˺: “Flee to Allah! I am truly sent by Him with a clear warning to you.”