Hadith 2344

Abu Sa'id reported God’s messenger as saying that the devil said, “By Thy might, my Lord, I shall continue to lead Thy servants astray as long as their spirits are in their bodies” The Lord who is great and glorious replied, “By my might, glory and exalted station, I shall con­ tinue to pardon them as long as they ask my forgiveness.” Ahmad transmitted it.

وَعَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: " إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ قَالَ: وَعِزَّتِكَ يَا رَبِّ لَا أَبْرَحُ أُغْوِي عِبَادَكَ مَا دَامَتْ أَرْوَاحُهُمْ فِي أَجْسَادِهِمْ فَقَالَ الرَّبُّ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ: وَعِزَّتِي وَجَلَالِي وَارْتِفَاعِ مَكَانِي لَا أَزَالُ أَغْفِرُ لَهُمْ مَا اسْتَغْفَرُونِي " رَوَاهُ أَحْمَدُ

Reference: 5623440
In-book reference: Book 9, Hadith 2344