Musannaf Ibn Abi Shayba 32:3

Abu Mu'awiyah narrated to us, [he said] Al-'Ala' ibn Mansur narrated to us, from Layth ibn Sa'd, from Muhammad ibn Qays, from Abu Sirmah, from Abu Ayyub, who said: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: "If you were not to commit sins, Allah would bring a people who would commit sins, and He would forgive them."