Page:Selections from Muhammadan Traditions - tr. William Goldsack (1923).djvu/136

 116 that he has a Lord who forgives sins, and punishes on account of them. I have forgiven My servant.' Then he remained as long as God wished, and afterwards he committed a sin and said, 'My Lord, I have committed another sin, therefore forgive it for me.' He said, 'Doth My servant know that he has a Lord who forgives a sin and punishes on account of it. I have forgiven My servant. Therefore let him do what he likes.'"'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.

It is related from Abú Bakruʾṣ-Ṣiddíq that, 'The Apostle of God said, "That person who asks pardon, does not remain immersed in sin, although he returns to it seventy times a day."'—At Tirmidhí, Abú Dáud.

It is related from Ṣafwán bin ʿAssál that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Verily God Most High has placed in the West a door for repentance whose width is seventy years journey. It will not be shut so long as the sun does not rise before it (i.e. in the West). And that is the word of God Most High in the day when certain signs of thy Lord shall appear, 'The faith of no soul shall benefit it, which has not believed before that.'"'—At Tirmidhí, Ibn Májah.

It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Verily there were two men of the Children of Israel who were friends together. One of them was intent on worship, but the other used to proclaim himself a sinner. And the first began to say, 'Give up that in which thou art (entangled).' His companion said, 'Leave me and my Lord,' until one day he found him engaged in grievous sin. Then he said, 'Forsake it.' He replied, 'Leave me and my Lord. Hast thou been sent as a guardian over me!' He said, 'By God! God will never forgive thee, nor enter thee into paradise.' Then God sent an angel to them both, who took both their souls, and they were brought together near to God. He said to the sinner, 'Enter paradise by My mercy.' And He said to the other, 'Art thou able to forbid My servant My mercy?' He replied, 'No, O God.' He said (to the angels) 'Take him away to the fire.'"'—Aḥmad.

It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Verily God, the Exalted and Magnified, most certainly raises the rank of the good servant in paradise. And the latter