Is it true that Allah grants the servant a certain period to repent before recording a sin, and what is this period? And does seeking forgiveness (Istighfar) alone expiate and erase sins as if they had never occurred? And does seeking forgiveness erase the memory of someone who has verbally wronged another, even if the doer regrets that action?

It is affirmed in Al-Tabarani's Al-Mu'jam Al-Kabeer that the angel on the left (who records evil deeds) withholds his pen for six hours from a Muslim servant who commits a sin. If the servant repents and seeks forgiveness, the sin is discarded; otherwise, one (sin) is recorded. This hadith (definition) indicates that Allah grants the servant a respite after committing a sin to repent, seek forgiveness, and perform righteous deeds that expiate his evil deeds. Seeking forgiveness effaces sins if it is accompanied by sincere repentance, righteous deeds, and restitution for injustices. So, whoever repents from his sins, seeks forgiveness, and reforms, Allah will forgive him. As for one who cannot restrain his tongue from someone who has wronged him, forgiveness and pardoning are better for him. If he chooses to take his right, it should be without injustice, for the recompense of an evil deed is its equivalent. And whoever pardons and makes reconciliation, his reward is with Allah.