"And those who, when they commit a lewd act or wrong themselves, remember Allah," so they fear Him and repent to Him, "and they do not persist" — meaning, they do not remain fixed — "in what they have done" of disobedience.

Yahya [narrated] from Aban al-Attar, who said: It used to be said: No sin is minor with persistence, and no sin is major with seeking forgiveness. [Verses 137-140]