Basic
Mercy & Forgiveness
Surah: Ghafir (3)
Forgiver of Sin and Accepter of Repentance — Allah's Names at the Surah's Opening
غَافِرِ ٱلذَّنۢبِ وَقَابِلِ ٱلتَّوۡبِ
— غافر الآية 3
Verse: "Forgiver of sin, Accepter of repentance, Severe in punishment, Owner of abundance — no deity except Him, to Him is the return." (40:3)
Combining opposites: "Forgiver of sin" then "severe in punishment" — Allah combines forgiveness and severity. This balance prevents excess hope (belittling sin) or excess fear (despair of mercy).
"Qabil al-Tawb" (accepter of repentance): "Qabil" is an active participle — He accepts repentance whenever it comes. Not past tense "He accepted" but continuously accepting every repentant person.
Lesson: Before despairing over your sin, remember: His first name in this surah is "Forgiver of sin" — forgiveness was placed before severity.
Combining opposites: "Forgiver of sin" then "severe in punishment" — Allah combines forgiveness and severity. This balance prevents excess hope (belittling sin) or excess fear (despair of mercy).
"Qabil al-Tawb" (accepter of repentance): "Qabil" is an active participle — He accepts repentance whenever it comes. Not past tense "He accepted" but continuously accepting every repentant person.
Lesson: Before despairing over your sin, remember: His first name in this surah is "Forgiver of sin" — forgiveness was placed before severity.
Source: Ibn Kathir (7/117); Al-Sadi; Al-Qurtubi (15/286)
Test Yourself
What is the wisdom in placing "Forgiver of sin" before "Severe in punishment" in this surah?
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