The story of the man who killed 99 people

There was a man who killed 99 people and then felt remorse for his sins. He asked the people who was the most knowledgeable person in the world, and they directed him to a monk. He went to the monk and told him that he had killed 99 people and asked if there was any hope for his repentance. The monk said that there was no hope for him and that he was doomed to hell. The man became angry and killed the monk, completing one hundred.

He then asked the people again who was the most knowledgeable person in the world, and they directed him to a scholar. He went to the scholar and told him that he had killed 100 people and asked if there was any hope for his repentance. The scholar said that there was hope for him, but he had to leave his land of evil and go to another land where there were righteous people who worshipped Allah. He told him to never return to his former land, for it was an evil place.

The man set out to the land of righteousness, but on the way he died. The angels of mercy and the angels of punishment disputed over his soul. The angels of mercy said that he had repented and intended to do good, while the angels of punishment said that he had not done any good deeds.

Allah sent an angel in the form of a human being to judge between them. The angel said that they should measure the distance between the two lands and see which one he was closer to. They did so and found that he was closer to the land of righteousness by a hand span. So the angels of mercy took his soul to paradise.

This story shows that Allah is merciful and forgiving, and that He accepts the repentance of those who sincerely turn to Him, even if they have committed grave sins.

قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِن رَّحْمَةِ اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ

“Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.’” (Quran 39:53)