That is once. He again sought permission for the second time and 'Umar said: It is twice. He again sought permission for the third time and Umar said: It is thrice. He (Abu Musa) then went back. He (Hadrat 'Umar) (sent someone) to pursue him so that he should be brought back. Thereupon he (Hadrat Umar) said: If this act (of yours is in accordance with the command of Messenger of Allah ﷺ you have preserved in your mind, then it is all right, otherwise (I shall give you such a severe punishment) that it will serve as an example to others. Abu Sa'id said: Then he (Abu Musa) came to us and said: Do you remember Messenger of Allah ﷺ having said this:" Permission is for three times"? They (Companions sitting in that cothpany) began to laugh, whereupon he (Abu Musa) said: There comes to you your Muslim brother who had been perturbed and you laugh. Abu Sa'id said: (Well), you go forth. I shall be your participant in this trouble of yours. So he came to him (Hadrat Umar) and said: Here is Abu Sa'id (to support my statement).  

أَنَّ أَبَا مُوسَى أَتَى بَابَ عُمَرَ فَاسْتَأْذَنَ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ وَاحِدَةٌ ثُمَّ اسْتَأْذَنَ الثَّانِيَةَ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ ثِنْتَانِ ثُمَّ اسْتَأْذَنَ الثَّالِثَةَ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ ثَلاَثٌ ثُمَّ انْصَرَفَ فَأَتْبَعَهُ فَرَدَّهُ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ هَذَا شَيْئًا حَفِظْتَهُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَهَا وَإِلاَّ فَلأَجْعَلَنَّكَ عِظَةً قَالَ أَبُو سَعِيدٍ فَأَتَانَا فَقَالَ أَلَمْ تَعْلَمُوا أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ الاِسْتِئْذَانُ ثَلاَثٌ قَالَ فَجَعَلُوا يَضْحَكُونَ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ أَتَاكُمْ أَخُوكُمُ الْمُسْلِمُ قَدْ أُفْزِعَ تَضْحَكُونَ انْطَلِقْ فَأَنَا شَرِيكُكَ فِي هَذِهِ الْعُقُوبَةِ فَأَتَاهُ فَقَالَ هَذَا أَبُو سَعِيدٍ