concerning the acceptance of repentance for acts of sexual immorality in all cases, from both men and women who commit them.

It is reported in the Sahīh that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Allah extends His hand by night so that those who sinned by day may repent, and He extends His hand by day so that those who sinned by night may repent, until the sun rises from the west.”

It is also reported in the Sahīh that he said:

“Whoever repents before the sun rises from the west, Allah will accept his repentance.”

It is also reported in the Sunan collections that he said:

“Migration will not cease until repentance ceases, and repentance will not cease until the sun rises from the west.”

It is reported that he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Satan said, ‘By Your might, my Lord, I shall never cease leading the children of Adam astray so long as their souls remain in their bodies.’ The Lord Most High replied, ‘By My might, My majesty, and My exalted place, I shall continue to forgive them so long as they seek My forgiveness.’”

Abū Dharr reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Allah says, ‘O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and place your hope in Me, I shall forgive you for whatever you have done, and I shall not mind. Son of Adam, were your sins to reach the heights of heaven and you then sought My forgiveness, I would forgive you, and I would not mind. Son of Adam, were you to meet Me with sins nearly filling the earth, and then meet Me without associating any partner with Me, I would come to you with as much forgiveness.’”

Whoever rules out repentance for any of these people, whether by his conduct or his words, falls into one of two cases: either he says, “If one of them repents, his repentance will not be accepted,” or