Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 39542 — What Abu Bakr (Ibn Abi Shaybah)

It is narrated from Abu Salih, the freed slave of Umm Hani, that al-Harith bin Suwayd pledged allegiance at the hand of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and believed in him (peace and blessings be upon him). Then he joined the people of Makkah and took part in Uhud (on their side) and fought against the Muslims. Then he felt remorse, returned to Makkah and wrote a letter to his brother Julas bin Suwayd: "O my brother, I regret what has come from me, so I repent to Allah and return to Islam. Mention this to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and if you have hope concerning (the acceptance of) my repentance, write to me." Julas mentioned this to him (peace and blessings be upon him), and Allah Almighty revealed this verse: "How shall Allah guide a people who disbelieved after their faith?" At this, some of his former companions began saying: "He enjoys himself, then he returns to Islam." Then this verse was revealed: "Indeed, those who disbelieved after their faith and then increased in disbelief, their repentance will never be accepted, and those are the ones who have gone astray." [Al Imran: 86, 90]