Mercy and forgiveness: Ar-Raḥmaan, Ar-Raḥiim, Al-Ghafuur, At-Tawwaab, Al-Waduud

Ar-Raḥmaan and Ar-Raḥiim These two names come from the same root, r-ḥ-m, that of mercy (ar-raḥma); the word raḥim (the womb, the bond of kinship) also comes from it. They open every surah of the Qur'an except At-Tawba, in the basmala: "In the name of Allah, Ar-Raḥmaan, Ar-Raḥiim". The name Ar-Raḥmaan is given to Allah alone. Scholars have explained their difference in several ways [À VÉRIFIER : présentation des avis]: • Ar-Raḥmaan refers to an immense mercy that encompasses all creatures in this world, believers or not; Ar-Raḥiim, to a particular mercy for the believers, especially in the hereafter: "He is Most Merciful (raḥiim) to the believers" (33:43). • Ar-Raḥmaan describes mercy as an immense attribute of Allah; Ar-Raḥiim describes this mercy as it actually reaches His servants. • Others see the second as an emphasis of the first. In every case, all agree that Allah's mercy is vast: "My mercy encompasses all things" (meaning of 7:156).

The hundred parts of mercy • "Allah made mercy in one hundred parts. He kept ninety-nine with Him and sent down a single one to the earth. It is through this part that creatures show mercy to one another, so much so that the mare lifts her hoof so as not to hurt her foal" (Bukhari 6000, Muslim 2752). • Among some captives, a woman was searching for her child; when she found him, she held him close and nursed him. The Prophet ﷺ asked: "Do you think this woman would throw her child into the fire?" They answered: "No." He said: "Allah is more merciful to His servants than this woman is to her child" (Bukhari 5999, Muslim 2754). • "When Allah created creation, He wrote in a book that is with Him, above the Throne: My mercy prevails over My anger" (Bukhari 3194, Muslim 2751) [À VÉRIFIER : formulation].

Al-Ghafuur, Al-Ghaffaar and Al-'Afuww: forgiveness • The word maghfira comes from a root meaning to cover and protect: a helmet is called mighfar. Allah Al-Ghafuur (the Most Forgiving) and Al-Ghaffaar (the One who forgives again and again) covers the sin, does not expose it, and protects from its consequences. • Al-'Afuww (the One who erases) goes further: 'afw is erasure, as the wind erases a trace. 'Aa'isha asked what to say if she found the Night of Decree; he answered: "Say: Allaahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuḥibbu l-'afwa fa'fu 'annii" ("O Allah, You are the One who erases, You love to erase, so erase my faults") (At-Tirmidhi 3513). • Allah says: "Say: O My servants who have transgressed against yourselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Allah forgives all sins" (meaning of 39:53, text below). • In a ḥadiith qudsi: "O son of Adam, as long as you call on Me and hope in Me, I forgive you what comes from you, and I do not mind. O son of Adam, if your sins reached the clouds of the sky, and then you asked My forgiveness, I would forgive you…" (At-Tirmidhi 3540, graded ḥasan). • The best request for forgiveness (sayyid al-istighfaar) begins with "Allaahumma anta rabbii, laa ilaaha illaa ant…" (Bukhari 6306).

At-Tawwaab: the One who turns back to His servant The word tawba means "returning". The servant returns to Allah by repenting; Allah At-Tawwaab turns to him twice: first by granting him repentance, then by accepting it. "Then He turned to them so that they might repent" (meaning of 9:118). • "Allah rejoices more at the repentance of His servant than one of you who finds his lost mount in a desert" (Bukhari 6309, Muslim 2747) [À VÉRIFIER : formulation]. • "Allah stretches out His hand at night so that whoever did wrong during the day may repent, and He stretches out His hand during the day so that whoever did wrong at night may repent, until the sun rises from the west" (Muslim 2759). • "Allah loves those who repent and He loves those who purify themselves" (meaning of 2:222). • The conditions of repentance recalled by scholars: stopping the fault, regretting it, being resolved not to return to it, and returning what is owed to its owner if the fault concerns others.

Al-Waduud: the One who loves and is loved The word wadd refers to a pure love that shows itself. Al-Waduud is, according to scholars, the One who loves His pious servants, and the One whom the hearts of believers love; many combine both meanings [À VÉRIFIER : présentation des avis]. • "He is the Forgiving, the Loving (al-Waduud)" (meaning of 85:14, text below). Scholars note that Allah here joins forgiveness and love: He does not merely forgive, He loves the one who returns. • "My Lord is Most Merciful, Loving" (meaning of 11:90). • "When Allah loves a servant, He calls Jibriil: I love so-and-so, so love him. Jibriil loves him, then he calls out to the inhabitants of heaven: Allah loves so-and-so, so love him. The inhabitants of heaven love him, then acceptance is granted to him on earth" (Bukhari 3209, Muslim 2637). • The path to this love: "Say: if you love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins" (meaning of 3:31).

Understanding the lesson

Explanation Mercy is the first name a Muslim pronounces when opening the Qur'an, eating, or entering his home: "Bismillaah ar-Raḥmaan ar-Raḥiim". This is no coincidence: it is through mercy that Allah first presented Himself. The comparison of the hundred parts helps to measure: all the love of mothers, all the tenderness of the world since the beginning of humanity, comes from a single part. The other ninety-nine are kept for the Day when they will be needed most. Allah's forgiveness has several faces: covering (Al-Ghafuur), erasing (Al-'Afuww), and even granting repentance before accepting it (At-Tawwaab). The servant is never alone in his return: it is Allah who takes the first step. Finally Al-Waduud: Allah is not merely the One who tolerates the repentant sinner; He loves him. The believer who returns is not a tolerated culprit, he is a beloved servant.

Lessons to draw from it • Never despair, whatever the sin: 39:53 is addressed to those who have "transgressed". • Do not confuse hope with carelessness: repentance has conditions (lesson 11). • Learn "Allaahumma innaka 'afuwwun…" and sayyid al-istighfaar. • Reflect this mercy towards your family, your neighbours, animals. • Cover the faults of others as you hope Allah covers your own.

Key points to remember • Ar-Raḥmaan: immense mercy for all creatures; Ar-Raḥiim: mercy that reaches the believers (33:43); other explanations exist. • A hundred parts: only one on earth (Bukhari 6000, Muslim 2752). • Al-Ghafuur covers; Al-'Afuww erases (At-Tirmidhi 3513). • At-Tawwaab grants repentance and then accepts it (9:118); He rejoices at it (Bukhari 6309, Muslim 2747). • Al-Waduud: He forgives and He loves (85:14; Bukhari 3209, Muslim 2637).

The main message Allah's mercy encompasses all things and prevails over His anger: return to Him without despair, for He forgives, erases, accepts repentance and loves the one who returns.

The text: Surah Az-Zumar (39), verse 53 [TEXTE ARABE À INSÉRER : sourate 39:53]

The text: Surah Al-Buruuj (85), verses 14 to 15 [TEXTE ARABE À INSÉRER : sourate 85:14-15]

Meaning: 39:53: "Say: O My servants who have transgressed against yourselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Allah forgives all sins. He is the Forgiving, the Most Merciful." 85:14-15: "And He is the Forgiving, the Loving, Lord of the Throne, the Glorious." Many scholars consider 39:53 one of the verses that give the most hope in the Qur'an [À VÉRIFIER].

Arabic text: deliberately not typed, to avoid any error; it is to be copied from the centre's mushaf (or a verified source) at the place indicated.