Abu Huraira said that God’s messenger told of a man who committed a sin and said, "My Lord, I have sinned, so forgive me.” His Lord replied, “Does my servant know that he has a Lord who pardons sin and punishes for it? I have pardoned my servant." After remaining [obedient] such time as God willed he committed a sin and said, “My Lord, I have sinned, so forgive me.” His Lord replied, “Does my servant know that he has a Lord who pardons sin and punishes for it? I have pardoned my servant.” Then after remaining [obedient] such time as God willed he committed a sin and said, “My Lord, I have committed another sin, so forgive me.” He replied, “Does my servant know that he has a Lord who pardons sin and punishes for it? I have pardoned my servant, so let him do what he likes.”(Bukhari and Muslim.)
The Infinite Mercy of Allah
This blessed hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, recorded in Mishkat al-Masabih 2333, reveals the vastness of divine forgiveness. The repetition of the servant's sin and repentance demonstrates that Allah's mercy precedes His wrath. The phrase "let him do what he likes" does not indicate license to sin, but rather signifies that as long as one continues in sincere repentance, divine mercy remains accessible.
Conditions of Accepted Repentance
The scholars explain that true repentance (tawbah) requires three conditions: ceasing the sin immediately, feeling genuine remorse, and firm resolve not to return to the sin. The man in the hadith fulfills these each time he turns to his Lord. His immediate acknowledgment of wrongdoing and direct appeal to Allah exemplifies proper repentance.
Divine Response Analysis
Allah's rhetorical question emphasizes His dual nature as both Al-Ghafur (The All-Forgiving) and Al-Muntaqim (The Avenger). This balance prevents despair while maintaining fear of divine punishment. The final response indicates that when a person establishes a pattern of sincere repentance, they may continue receiving forgiveness, though this shouldn't be exploited.
Practical Implications
This narration offers profound hope for repeated sinners while warning against presuming upon Allah's mercy. The scholars caution that one should never despair of forgiveness, nor feel secure from Allah's plan. The ideal is to minimize sinning while maximizing repentance, recognizing that each return to Allah is met with open acceptance.