Silsilah as-Sahihah 4086 — Blessings of seeking forgiveness

Akhsham Sadawi says: I went to Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him), and he said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say: "By Him in Whose hand is my soul! Or he said: By Him in Whose hand is the soul of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)! If you were to commit sins until your errors filled the space between the earth and the sky, then you sought forgiveness from Allah Almighty, He would forgive you. By Him in Whose hand is the soul of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)! Or he said: By Him in Whose hand is my soul! If you people did not commit sins, Allah Almighty would (cause you to perish and) bring a people who would commit errors, then seek forgiveness from Allah Almighty, and He would forgive them."