Hazrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that I heard the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) say: A servant committed many sins and said, "O my Lord! I am Your sinful servant, so forgive me." Allah, the Lord of Honor and Glory, said, "My servant knows that he has a Lord who forgives sins and also punishes because of sins. I have forgiven My servant." Then the servant refrained (from sin) for as long as Allah willed, and then he committed a sin again and said, "My Lord! I have sinned again, so forgive me for this as well." Allah Almighty said, "My servant knows that he has a Lord who forgives sins and also punishes because of them. I have forgiven My servant." Then, as long as Allah willed, the servant refrained from sin, and then he committed a sin again and said in the presence of Allah, "O my Lord! I have sinned again, so forgive me." Allah Almighty said, "My servant knows that he has a Lord who forgives sins, otherwise He also punishes because of them. I have forgiven My servant." Three times. So let him do as he wishes.
Hadith Referenceاللؤلؤ والمرجان / كتاب التوبة / 1754
Hadith Gradingمحدثین:«صحیح»
Hadith Takhrij«صحیح، أخرجه البخاري في: 97 كتاب التوحيد: 35 باب قول الله تعالى (يريدون أن يبدلوا كلام الله»