It is reported that a man came to ʿAlee – (Radhi-Allahu-Anhu - Allah be pleased with him) and asked:
What do you think about a man who committed a sin?
He replied: He must seek Allāh’s forgiveness and repent to Him.
[The man:] said, He did that, but then sinned again?
[ʿAlee:] said, He must seek Allāh’s forgiveness and repent to Him.
The man again said, He did that, but returned to sin.
['Alee:] said,He must seek Allāh’s forgiveness and repent to Him.
The man said for the fourth time, He did, but then sinned again.
ʿAlee then said, Until when?
Then he said, He must seek Allāh’s forgiveness and repent to Him; and not give up until it is Shayṭaan who is defeated [overcome]. [Hunād b. Al-Sarī, Kitāb Al-Zuhd article 910]
What do you think about a man who committed a sin?
He replied: He must seek Allāh’s forgiveness and repent to Him.
[The man:] said, He did that, but then sinned again?
[ʿAlee:] said, He must seek Allāh’s forgiveness and repent to Him.
The man again said, He did that, but returned to sin.
['Alee:] said,He must seek Allāh’s forgiveness and repent to Him.
The man said for the fourth time, He did, but then sinned again.
ʿAlee then said, Until when?
Then he said, He must seek Allāh’s forgiveness and repent to Him; and not give up until it is Shayṭaan who is defeated [overcome]. [Hunād b. Al-Sarī, Kitāb Al-Zuhd article 910]