“My servant has known that he has a Lord who forgives sins and holds accountable for them; I have forgiven My servant.”

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), narrating from his Almighty Lord, said: "A servant committed a sin and said: 'O Allah, forgive my sin,’ and Allah Almighty said: ‘My servant committed a sin and then realized that he has a Lord Who forgives sins and punishes for sins.' Then, he committed a sin again and said: ‘My Lord, forgive my sin,’ and Allah Almighty said: ‘My servant committed a sin and then realized that he has a Lord Who forgives sins and punishes for sins.’ He again committed a sin and said: ‘My Lord, forgive my sin,’ and Allah Almighty said: ‘My servant committed a sin and then realized that he has a Lord Who forgives sins and punishes for sins. Do whatever you wish, for I have forgiven you.'"

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah and agreed upon, and the quoted line is one turn of a cycle that repeats three times. The servant sins and asks forgiveness, and Allah forgives; he sins again and asks, and Allah forgives; a third time, and Allah says, “My servant has known that he has a Lord who forgives sins and takes to account for them — let him do what he wishes.” The commentators are careful with that last clause: it is said of a man who keeps returning, not of one who has stopped bothering.