Is losing money in the stock market after committing one of the major sins a punishment from Allah? What should be done to repent, and what are the signs that repentance has been accepted?

The harm that afflicts a person may be an ill omen due to a sin, and the cause of all harm in this world and the Hereafter is sins. Therefore, the questioner should repent to Allah and earnestly implore Him for forgiveness. Repentance has five conditions for its acceptance: sincerity, abandoning the sin, regretting having committed it, resolving not to return to it, and that the repentance occurs within the time of acceptance—before the death throes and before the sun rises from its west. If the sin involves the rights of people, then one must clear their liability by returning the rights to their owners or seeking their forgiveness, in addition to the five conditions. After repentance, the servant's state should be between hoping for acceptance and fearing punishment.

Signs of accepted repentance include: - Burning regret and remorse for past sins. - Feeling deficient in fulfilling one's duty towards Allah. - Distancing oneself from sins and their causes. - Inclination towards obedience and feeling that repentance is a great blessing. - Associating with good people and avoiding bad companions. - Steadfastness in Allah's religion. - Being granted success in acts of obedience, which indicates Allah's pleasure.

The return of circumstances that a person lost is not among the signs of accepted repentance. Allah may accept repentance and yet not restore one's provisions to what they were initially. What is important is turning to Allah in repentance. If provisions are expanded, it is a blessing; and if they are not, there are other blessings such as bodily health, Islam, and being granted success in repentance. For Allah accepts sincere repentance.