forgive them or guide them to a way.” [al-Nisāʾ: 137] Their not being forgiven is due to their repentance not being accepted; for had Allah accepted their repentance, He would have forgiven them. Also, since he lied in his first repentance, it is possible that he lied the second time. This person may be playing games: he disbelieves today, then repents tomorrow, and so his repentance is not accepted.

Repetition is established by two instances, and this is the position of the school. It was also said that there must be three instances; this is a report from Ahmad.

Some scholars said: If we know that his repentance is sincere, we accept it, even if it is repeated. The Prophet—may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him—related the case of a man who committed a sin and repented from it, then committed another sin and repented, then committed another sin and repented. Allah, Exalted is He, said: “My servant knows that he has a Lord who forgives sin and holds one to account for it. I have forgiven My servant, so let him do as he wishes.” (1) This is a man whose sin was repeated, yet Allah accepted his repentance. Therefore, if we know that he is sincere in repentance, what prevents us from accepting it?

They answered the evidence of the first group by saying: The noble verse does not conclude by saying that the man repented; rather, it concludes: “then increased in disbelief.” Thus, regarding those who increased in disbelief, “Allah will never forgive them”—meaning that Allah will not grant them success in repenting. It does not mean that if they repent, Allah will not accept their repentance. Rather, so long as they are—Allah protect us—not settled upon any course, and their final state is that they increase in disbelief, then such people are exceedingly unlikely to be granted success in repentance.

As for their statement that he may be lying in his repentance, we say: This is not