Said by: Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (as)
Status: ✅ Verified reference
Reference: Al-Kafi (Shaykh al-Kulayni), Volume 2, Kitab al-Iman wa al-Kufr, Chapter 191 (Bab al-Tawba — Repentance), Hadith 6.
Arabic — core saying (excerpt):
ذُنُوبُ الْمُؤْمِنِ إِذَا تَابَ مِنْهَا مَغْفُورَةٌ لَهُ… كُلَّمَا عَادَ الْمُؤْمِنُ بِالْاِسْتِغْفَارِ وَالتَّوْبَةِ عَادَ اللهُ عَلَيْهِ بِالْمَغْفِرَةِ
English translation:
"The sins of a believer, when he repents from them, are forgiven for him." When the Imam (as) was asked about a believer who sins, repents, and then sins again many times, he said: "Every time the believer returns with seeking forgiveness and repentance, Allah returns to him with forgiveness. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. He accepts repentance and effaces evil deeds." The Imam (as) added: "Never cause a believer to lose hope in the mercy of Allah."
Explanation: Falling again does not mean Allah has closed the door. If the repentance is real each time, Allah forgives each time. The rule for a believer is simple: never stop returning to Allah — and never tell another believer that it is too late for them.
Falling again does not mean Allah has closed the door.