There is no man who commits a sin, then gets up and performs Tahārah (ritual purification), then performs prayer, then seeks forgiveness from Allah, except that Allah forgives him

‘Ali reported: Indeed I am a man who, when hearing a Hadīth from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), Allah benefitted me thereby as much as He willed for me to benefit thereby. When a man from his Companions narrates some Hadīth to me, I ask him to swear upon it, when he swears, I believe him. And Abu Bakr narrated to me - and Abu Bakr told the truth; he said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say:

‘Ali reported: Indeed I am a man who, when hearing a Hadīth from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), Allah benefitted me thereby as much as He willed for me to benefit thereby. When a man from his Companions narrates some Hadīth to me, I ask him to swear upon it, when he swears, I believe him. And Abu Bakr narrated to me - and Abu Bakr told the truth; he said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "There is no man who commits a sin, then gets up and performs Tahārah (ritual purification), then performs prayer, then seeks forgiveness from Allah, except that Allah forgives him." Then, he recited this verse: {And those who, when they commit a shameful act or wrong themselves, remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins.} [Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 135]

Attribution: Narrated by Abu Dāwūd, At-Tirmidhi, and An-Nasā’i in Al-Kubra and by Ibn Mājah and Ahmad

Grade: Authentic