Chapter 40 of the Quran is entitled “Forgiver” (Ghafer). Seeking God’s forgiveness is one of the most important aspects of submission to God Alone, because all believers make mistakes. However, repentance is acceptable by God from those who fall in sin out of ignorance, then repent immediately thereafter (4:18).

If they fall in sin or wrong their souls, they remember God and ask forgiveness for their sins - and who forgives the sins except God - and they do not persist in sins, knowingly.[3:135].

There are three steps here: one is to identify the wrongdoing; second, ask for God’s forgiveness. The third step is to try not to repeat the same sin again. Repentance is coupled with reformation of word and/or deed and/or thought. The following verse reiterates this:

When those who believe in our revelations come to you, you shall say, “Salamun Alaykum.” Your Lord has decreed that mercy is His attribute. Thus, anyone among you who commits a transgression out of ignorance, and reports thereafter and reforms, then He is Forgiving, Most Merciful. [6:54]

Since each chapter of the Quran begins with “In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful,” (except Chapter 9), it is important to contemplate the meaning of mercy. According to the dictionary it means: 1) Kind and compassionate treatment…clemency. 2) A disposition to be kind and forgiving. That God is merciful implies that He tends towards compassion and forgiveness. Because God is the MOST Merciful, it may be hard for us to conceive of the immensity of His capacity to forgive our transgressions:

If you count God’s blessings, you cannot possibly encompass them. God is Forgiver, Most Merciful. [16:18]

In verse 7:153 we are told that God forgave those who worshipped the golden calf idol once they repented and believed. Verse 4:98 tells us that His mercy reaches those weak or oppressed souls who

died in the state of wronging their souls. Similarly, verse 25:70 tells us that God even converts His servants’ sins into credits when one repents, believes and leads a righteous life.

Another way for us to gain God’s forgiveness is reverencing God Alone (3:28,8:29). Reverence is an attitude inwardly and outwardly of profound awe, respect, love and veneration. Reverence should be an automatic reaction to God’s Omnipotence. It should be on a ”cellular” level, deeply ingrained in our beings. When one reverences God Alone, it is a continuous state, so that even when one is alone reverence does not waver. (See 5:94, 19:61, 21:49, 25:64, 35:18, 36:11, 50:33, 67:12.)

O you who believe, you shall reverence God and believe in His messenger. He will then grant you double the reward from His mercy, endow you with light to guide you, and forgive you. God is Forgiver, Most Merciful.[57:28]

So if we reverence God while believing in His messengers, we receive double the reward. This is how merciful our Lord is. In verses 3:28-32 and 33:70-71 of the Quran we are told that part of reverencing God is accomplished by following His messengers. Also in verse 5:12, God enjoins the Children of Israel to believe in His messengers and to lead righteous lives, so that their sins will be remitted and thus they will be admitted to Paradise.

Yet another way for us to attain God’s mercy is to be merciful ourselves when dealing with other people:

If you work righteousness – either declared or concealed – or pardon a transgression. God is Pardoner, Omnipotent. [4:149]

Those who “ eagerly race towards forgiveness” are the righteous people who “are suppressors of anger, and pardoners of the people.” When they fall in sin they seek God’s pardon and reform their actions (3:133-136). God enjoins us to attain forgiveness through charity, kindness and tolerance (24:22). Even when dealing

dealing with people who worship idols, God commands us to “resort to pardon, advocate tolerance, and disregard the ignorant,” (7:199) God makes it clear that He forgives and is merciful to us if we “pardon, forget and forgive” when we are wronged by our spouses and children (64:14). This verse is very similar to the Lord’s Prayer of Christians, which is directed to God. It says, “…And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

We are told in verse 5:13 that “God loves those who are benevolent,” and when faced with jealousy we should “pardon and leave them alone” (2:109). When we are angered, we should forgive (42:37). “Those who pardon and maintain righteousness are rewarded by God.” (42:40) “Resorting to patience and forgiveness reflects a true strength of character.” (42:43)

Being a Muslim (Submitter) is a patient, nonaggressive, compassionate existence. To enable us to have the peace of mind to go on this straight path, God has decreed mercy
as His attribute. When we begin to worry about our own neck (our soul’s salvation), we have only to repent and reform.

Therefore, be patient, for God’s promise is true, and ask forgiveness for your sin, and glorify and praise your Lord night and day. [40:55]

…Our Lord, do not condemn us if we forget or make mistakes. Our Lord, and protect us from blaspheming against You, like those before us have done. Our Lord, protect us from sinning until it becomes too late for us to repent. Pardon us and forgive us. You are our Lord and Master. Grant us victory over the disbelieving people [2:286]

Say, My Lord shower us with forgiveness and mercy. Of all the merciful ones, You are the Most Merciful. [23:118]

Senobar Tafazoli and
Janet Kuhl-Kalantari