What is the ruling on the repentance of one who repented from a sin, then returned to it, and so on many times, then repented to Allah with a sincere repentance and did not return to that sin?

The questioner : A questioner asks: What is the ruling on the repentance of one who repented from a sin, then returned to that sin many times, then repented likewise many times, and after that Allah granted him sincere repentance and he did not return to this sin? Please give us a ruling, may Allah guide you.

The Shaykh : The repentance of this sinner is valid. Not only the first repentances, but the last one as well; all of them are valid. This is because whenever a person commits a sin and then repents to Allah from it, and the conditions of repentance are fulfilled for him, Allah accepts his repentance. If his soul calls him to it again and he does it, let him repent a second, third, and fourth time, as Allah the Exalted said: But the important thing is that the repentance be sincere and that he be determined not to return to the sin. Repentance should not be flimsy, meaning that he repents while having the intention in his heart to return to the sin. If that is the case, this repentance is not valid. But if it is a valid repentance and he was determined not to return to the sin when he committed it, then if he returns to it a second time, his first repentance is not invalidated. Rather, his first repentance is valid, and whenever he sins and repents, Allah forgives him. Yes.