Sayyiduna Thawban (may Allah be pleased with him), the freed slave of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), narrates that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I would not like to have the world and everything in it in exchange for this verse (the verse is as follows): 'O My servants who have wronged themselves, do not despair of Allah's mercy.'"
At-Tabarani recorded it in al-Mu'jam al-Awsat, and its chain is hasan (good).
Hadith Referenceمجمع الزوائد ومنبع الفوائد / كتاب التوبة / 17623
Hadith Gradingمحدثین:إسنادہ حسن۔
Hadith Takhrij«اخرجه الطبراني فى المعجم الكبير (11480) ، أخرجه مسند أحمد برقم: 21857، وأخرجه المعجم الأوسط للطبراني برقم: 176»
Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sent a message to Wahshi, the killer of Sayyiduna Hamzah (may Allah be pleased with him), inviting him to Islam. He sent back a reply: 'O Sayyiduna Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)! How can you invite me to your religion, when you say that whoever has killed, or associated partners with Allah, or committed adultery, is guilty of sin, and on the Day of Resurrection his punishment will be doubled and he will remain in it in disgrace? I have done these things; do you find any concession for me?' So Allah Almighty revealed this verse:
"Except for the one who repented, believed and did righteous deeds; these are the people whose evil deeds Allah Almighty will change into good deeds, and Allah Almighty is Forgiving, Merciful."
Wahshi said: 'O Sayyiduna Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)! This is a very hard condition, that the case is different for the one who repents, believes and does righteous deeds, for perhaps I may not be able to do that.' So Allah Almighty revealed this verse:
"Indeed, Allah Almighty will not forgive that partners be associated with Him; apart from that, He will forgive whom He wills."
Wahshi said: 'O Sayyiduna Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)! This depends on His will; I do not know whether He will forgive me or not. Is there anything other than this?' So Allah Almighty revealed this verse:
"O My servants who have wronged themselves, do not despair of Allah's mercy; indeed, Allah Almighty will forgive all sins; indeed, He is the Forgiving, the Merciful."
Wahshi said: 'This is fine.' Then he accepted Islam. The people said: 'O Messenger of Allah! We too have committed the deeds that Wahshi committed.' The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"This (ruling) is general for the Muslims."
At-Tabarani recorded it; its chain contains a narrator, Abyan bin Sufyan, who is da'if (weak).
(Allamah al-Haythami says:) I say: Before this, at the end of the preceding chapter, the saying of Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) has passed, which he said to Farazdaq: "Beware of letting your hope in Allah's mercy be cut off."
Hadith Referenceمجمع الزوائد ومنبع الفوائد / كتاب التوبة / 17624
Hadith Gradingمحدثین:إسنادہ صحیح
Hadith Takhrij«اخرجه ابو يعلى فى المسند (4226) اخرجه احمد فى المسند (238/3) ، أخرجه المعجم الكبير للطبراني برقم: 11480»