Asalamu Alaikum,

Thank you asking such a pertinent question. When we come into Islam, Allah forgives us of our sins that are associated with not giving Him His rights as our Creator and Sustainer (shirk) and sins that involve harming our own selves. For example, when we leave the worship of other false deities, and make the testament of faith, Allah forgives us the shirk we committed prior to the shahadah.

Also, if we ate pork or drank alcohol or committed other sins that are harmful to us (as all sins are harmful to our souls) prior to Islam, Allah forgives us of those sins as well when we enter Islam. But if we have taken the rights or harmed others by our sins (this also hurts us), it is an Islamic principle that we should seek forgiveness from both Allah and those we have harmed.

If we have harmed others or taken other’s rights prior to Islam, we should make amends and seek to make things right with those we have hurt. This is not only crucial in keeping good ties with kith and kin, it is also good dawah, and healing for us. However, I am not sure if sins that are associated with hurting others are absolved or not when entering Islam, but it is always a good practice to seek forgiveness from those we have hurt. For a more complete answer, please send a query into About Islam’s Ask the Scholar service about this issue since my knowledge on the topic is limited. 

Please keep in touch.

Salam.