The Garden of Guidance
Allah, Almighty and Glorious, said:
"Indeed, Allah does not forgive associating partners with Him, but He forgives anything less than that for whom He wills."
“Lo! Allah forgiveth not that a partner should be ascribed unto Him. He forgiveth (all) save that to whom He will. Whoso ascribeth partners to Allah, he hath indeed invented a tremendous sin.” (4:48)
On the authority of Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him), who said:
I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say:
Satan said to his Lord,
"By Your might and majesty,
I will not cease to mislead the children of Adam as long as their souls remain in their bodies."
Whereupon Allah said:
"So, by My might and majesty,
I will not cease to forgive them as long as they seek My forgiveness."
Reported by Ahmad.
A Point of Benefit
On the authority of Bakr ibn 'Abdullah, who said:
"Indeed, you commit sins abundantly, so seek forgiveness abundantly.
For when a person commits a sin and then sees seeking forgiveness alongside it, that brings him joy."
Al-Hasan al-Basri (may Allah have mercy on him) used to say:
"Increase your seeking of forgiveness in your homes,
at your dining tables,
on your roads, in your markets,
and in your gatherings,
wherever you may be;
for you do not know when forgiveness will descend."
Luqman said to his son:
"O my dear son, accustom your tongue to saying:
'O Allah, forgive me,'
for indeed Allah has hours in which He does not turn away a petitioner."
He used to pray for the sinners.