Allah Almighty is The Ever-Acceptor Of Repentance
Selections from the Book The Story of The Beginning of Creation and The Creation of Adam, peace be upon him …
Written by Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi...
Episode (86)
The Name of Allah, The Ever-Acceptor of Repentance, is mentioned in eleven verses of the Holy Qur'an. In nine of these verses, it is coupled with His Name, the Merciful. For example, in His words: {Then Adam received from his Lord [some] words, and He accepted his repentance. Indeed, it is He who is the Accepting of Repentance, the Merciful.} [Al-Baqarah: 37], and also in: {and accept our repentance. Indeed, You are the Accepting of Repentance, the Merciful.} [ Al-Baqarah: 128]. Additionally, He says: {And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of Repentance and Merciful.} [Al-Hujurat: 12].
In one verse, it is associated with His Name, The All-Wise, as in: {And if not for the favor of Allah upon you and His mercy... and because Allah is Accepting of Repentance and Wise.} [An-Nur: 10]. Furthermore, it appears alone in the verse: {Then exalt [Him] with praise of your Lord and ask forgiveness of Him. Indeed, He is ever Accepting of Repentance.} [An-Nasr: 3].
The meaning of the Name of Allah "The Accepting of Repentance" in the context of Allah Almighty:
Al-Tabari (may Allah have mercy on him) said regarding His statement; {Indeed, it is He who is the Accepting of Repentance, the Merciful.}, that Allah Almighty is the Most Accepting of Repentance for those of His servants who repent to Him from their sins. He refrains from punishing them when they turn to His obedience after their disobedience due to their previous sins. Allah's acceptance of His servant's repentance means that He grants them the ability to repent and turns from His anger towards them to being pleased with them, and from punishment to forgiveness and pardon.
Sheikh Al-Sa'di says: He is the Accepting of Repentance for those who repent to Him first by granting them success in repentance and turning their hearts toward Him, and He is the Accepting of Repentance for those who have repented by accepting them and forgiving their sins. Allah Almighty describes Himself as the Most Accepting of Repentance due to the multitude of those who turn to Him in repentance.
- Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi, The Story of The Beginning of Creation and The Creation of Adam, peace be upon him, pp. 615-617.
- To Allah belong the best names, Al-Jalil, p. 581.
- Saadi’s Interpretation, previous reference, 5/300.
For further information and review of the sources for the article, see:
The Book of The Story of The Beginning of Creation and The Creation of Adam, peace be upon him on the official website of Sheikh Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi:
