Sahih al-Bukhari 6339
Sahih al-Bukhari · Book 80: Invocations · One should appeal to Allah with determination
Narrated Abu Huraira:
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مَسْلَمَةَ ، عَنْ مَالِكٍ ، عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " لاَ يَقُولَنَّ أَحَدُكُمُ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي، اللَّهُمَّ ارْحَمْنِي، إِنْ شِئْتَ. لِيَعْزِمِ الْمَسْأَلَةَ، فَإِنَّهُ لاَ مُكْرِهَ لَهُ " .
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "None of you should say: 'O Allah, forgive me if You wish; O Allah, be merciful to me if You wish,' but he should always appeal to Allah with determination, for nobody can force Allah to do something against His Will."