The second situation is that he says this while having renounced the sin in his heart, resolve, and intention. The majority of scholars hold that it is permissible for one who repents to say, “I repent to Allah,” and that a servant may covenant with his Lord never to return to the sin. Resolving not to return is obligatory upon him, and he is stating what he has resolved at that moment. It has already been stated that one of the conditions for repentance to be accepted is the servant’s resolve not to return to the sin. If his resolve is genuine, his repentance will be accepted. If he returns to the sin a second time, he will need to repent again for his sin to be forgiven. Thus, so long as the servant continues in this manner—repenting whenever he sins and seeking forgiveness whenever he errs—he is likely to be forgiven, even if the sin and repentance recur.

Al-Bukhārī and Muslim narrated from Abū Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), from the Prophet (may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him), relating from his Lord, Glorified and Exalted, that he said: “A servant committed a sin and said, ‘O Allah, forgive me my sin.’ Allah, Mighty and Majestic, said, ‘My servant committed a sin and knew that he has a Lord who forgives sin and punishes for sin.’ He then sinned again and said, ‘My Lord, forgive me my sin.’ Allah, Mighty and Majestic, said, ‘My servant committed a sin and knew that he has a Lord who forgives sin and punishes for sin.’ He then sinned again and said, ‘My Lord, forgive me my sin.’ Allah, Mighty and Majestic, said, ‘My servant committed a sin and knew that he has a Lord who forgives sin and punishes for sin. Do as you wish, for I have forgiven you.’”1 That is, so long as you remain repentant, contrite, and ever turning to Allah.

Thus, this repentance is accepted even if the sin recurs, for whenever the servant renews his repentance while fulfilling its conditions, it is accepted from him. As for seeking forgiveness without repentance, it does not necessarily entail