I remember reading in the older scriptures from the ancient, annnncient days. There use to be crazy sacrificious rituals to make your being okay again, after committing a big sin or on being a sinful being.
But, I think, Allah directed energy in the right places in the Qur'an (Arabic 'Recitation' of the Qur'an) and prostration came at the right time to say sorry.
Like, in Surah Sad. (The Surah Of David)
Compulsory Sajdah at Ayat #24
Surah Sad - Surah of David (Dawood)
1 The letter Sad, By the Quran, full of reminders. 2 Unbelievers are addicted to pride and contention 3 They are unmoved by the fate of former infidels 4 They wonder at their warner, and call him a sorcerer and a liar 5-6 The Divine unity is denied by the infidels as a marvellous error 7-9 The confederates are challenged 10-13 Former bands of confederate infidels destroyed 14-15 Judgment impending over the scoffers of Makkah The story of David 16 He was a true believer 17-18 Mountains and birds joined him in praising God 19 He is endowed with a kingdom, wisdom etc. 20-23 He is rebuked by the two adversaries 23 ۩ 24 David repents his fault and is forgiven 25-27 He is exhorted to judge righteously 28 He receives the Book of Psalms The story of Solomon 29 He is a devout servant of God 30-31 Reviewing his horses, he forgets his prayers 32 He slays the horses to atone for his neglect 33-34 The trial of the counterfeit body 35-39 The wind and the devils are made subject to Solomon The story of Job 40 He cries to God in his calamity against Satan 41 God discovers fountains of water for his comfort 42 His family and property restored him double 43 He chastises his wife in fulfilment of his oath 43-44 He is patient and prayerful 45-48 Other prophets commended as examples of piety 49-55 Paradise, its glories described 55-58 Hell, its miseries delineated 59-61 Idolaters and their leaders shall mutually reproach each other in hell 62-64 They shall not find the Muslims there 65-68 Muhammad enjoined to preach against idolatry 69-74 The story of the creation of Adam and the fall of Iblis revealed to Muhammad 75-77 Iblīs refuses to worship Adam through pride 78-82 God curses Iblīs, but respites him till the resurrection-day 83-84 Iblís declares to God he will seduce mankind, except the servants of God 85 God declares his purpose to fill hell with Satan and his followers 86 Muhammad asks no reward for his services 87-88 The Quran an admonition yet to be vindicated before unbelievers
Kufic fragment of Sura Sad, lines 62–64, late 9th century C.E.
