Repeated Repentance from Sin

Question:
A servant repents from a specific sin and resolves not to return to it, but Satan tempts him and he returns to it again. Then he repents and weeps over his sin again, and then he returns to it. What should he do? And is committing sins in seclusion [permissible]?

Answer:
With repeated repentance, one falls under the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) regarding the one who, when tested with the prohibitions of Allah, transgresses them: He must repent to Allah with a sincere repentance, and Allah will accept his repentance as Allah has promised. There is no mercy from the mercy of Allah [that is lost] if I sinned and then returned [to repentance]. We repent to Allah and assign a repentance for every sin. The hadith is that Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, says: "O My servant, I know that you have a Lord who forgives the sin... and if he commits a sin... then if he repents from it, Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, says: and He accepts it and Allah turns to him in mercy. Every time he repeats the repentance, Allah turns to him in mercy, and He does not become angry [over] the mercy of Allah.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you