Adam Received Words from His Lord Then He Turned to Him — Repentance and How It Is Accepted
tadabbur
Level: basic
baqarah
td-182
فَتَلَقَّىٰٓ ءَادَمُ مِن رَّبِّهِۦ كَلِمَٰتٍ فَتَابَ عَلَيۡهِ
— البقرة 37
Verse: "Adam received from his Lord words and He turned to him — indeed, He is the Accepting of Repentance, the Merciful." (2:37)
"Received" (talaqqaa): Taking with two hands — Adam took the words seriously and used them as a means of repentance. The words are: "Our Lord, we wronged ourselves, and if You don't forgive us and have mercy on us we will be among the losers."
Lesson: Adam didn't repent in silence — he repented with specific words Allah taught him. Sincere correct supplication is a commanded means of repentance.
Source: Ibn Kathir (1/166); Al-Sadi; Al-Qurtubi (1/289)
Question: What were the words Adam received from his Lord and what does "talaqqaa" signify?
Answer: Words: "Our Lord, we wronged ourselves — if You don't forgive and have mercy we will be losers." Talaqqaa: received with seriousness and care as one receives a precious gift.