The Repentance of the Apostate

It was narrated that Ibn 'Abbas said concerning Surat An-Nahl - : "Whoever disbelieved in Allah after his belief, except him who is forced thereto and whose heart is at rest with Faith; but such as open their breasts to disbelief, on them is wrath from Allah, and theirs will be a great torment." "This was abrogated, and an exception was made, as Allah said: "Then, verily, your Lord for those who emigrated after they had been put to trials and thereafter strove hard and fought (for the Cause of Allah) and were patient, verily, your Lord afterward is, Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." This was 'Abdullah bin Sa'd bin Abi As-Sarh who was the governor of Egypt and used to write to the Messenger of Allah [SAW]. The Shaitan misled him and he went and joined the unbelievers. So he (the Prophet [SAW]) commanded that he be killed on the day of the Conquest of Makkah. Then, 'Uthman bin 'Afan sought protection for him, and the Messenger of Allah [SAW] granted him protection."