What is the authenticity of the story of the man in the time of Moses (peace be upon him) who repented then returned to sin, and when Moses informed him of Allah's wrath upon him, he went forth supplicating to his Lord, saying: "My God! Has Your mercy run out, or has my sin harmed You? Or have You become stingy towards Your servants? Which sin is greater than Your pardon? Generosity is one of Your ancient attributes, and meanness is one of my recent attributes. Does my meanness then overcome Your generosity? If mercy is cut off from Your servants, whom do they hope for? And if You drive Your servants away from Your door, whom do they seek? My God, if Your mercy has run out and my punishment is inevitable, then lay upon me all the punishment of Your servants, for I have ransomed them with myself"? So Allah revealed to Moses to inform him that He had forgiven his sins, even if they were as much as the earth, after he had come to know Allah's power, pardon, and mercy?
This story is not mentioned in the reliable books, and it is recounted in some books of admonition without a chain of narration, and it is perhaps from the Israʼiliyyat (tales of Jewish origin).
And it – despite being unestablished – contains in its style an objectionable impropriety and ill-manners towards Allah the Exalted.
The Quranic verses, prophetic admonitions, and authentic narrations are sufficient, making such stories unnecessary.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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