Mishkat al-Masabih 2327

Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri (may God be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of God (peace be upon him) said: ‘Among the Children of Israel was a man who killed ninety-nine people. He went out asking about repentance and came to a monk. He asked him, “Can I repent?” The monk said, “No.” So he killed him, then continued asking. A man told him, “Go to such-and-such a town.” Death overtook him, and he leaned his chest toward it. The angels of mercy and the angels of punishment disputed over him. God revealed to these, “Come closer,” and to those, “Move farther away.” Then He said, “Measure the distance between them.” He was found a span closer to this one, and he was forgiven.’ Agreed upon. The Arabic source records it as agreed upon (al-Albani).