The Quran emphasizes forgiveness as a central virtue, both as a divine attribute and a human quality. Forgiveness is not merely an act of letting go; it is deeply tied to strength, compassion, and recognition of God’s ultimate authority. Two key terms associated with forgiveness in the Quran are Ghufur (forgiveness) and Afuw (pardoning), each offering unique insights into God’s mercy and human conduct. This article explores these concepts, drawing on verses from Rashad Khalifa’s translation of the Quran.

Ghufur (Forgiveness): A Divine Attribute

The term Ghufur underscores God’s capacity to forgive sins while emphasizing His mercy. God’s forgiveness is not contingent on perfection but on repentance and striving for righteousness. Verses such as 2:173 and 3:135 remind believers of God’s infinite mercy, especially when they falter:

“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)

The Quran also connects forgiveness with God’s omnipotence. For example, in 2:284, forgiveness and punishment are both framed within God’s sovereign power:

“He forgives whomever He wills, and punishes whomever He wills. God is Omnipotent.” (2:284)

Afuw (Pardoning): A Higher Degree of Forgiveness

While Ghufur reflects God’s willingness to forgive sins, Afuw denotes a more profound act of pardoning where sins are erased entirely. This term is used in contexts where God’s mercy surpasses human comprehension.

In 4:149, God’s role as Pardoner and Omnipotent is highlighted:

“If you work righteousness—either declared or concealed—or pardon a transgression, God is Pardoner, Omnipotent.” (4:149)

Here, Afuw conveys a form of forgiveness that involves wiping away transgressions, as though they never occurred—a deeper level of divine mercy than Ghufur.

“Whereby God forgives your past sins, as well as future sins, and perfects His blessings upon you, and guides you in a straight path.” (48:2)

God promises a complete pardon – in return we are simply required to perform the rites of our religion (21:73 – righteousnes, prayer and zakat). Through supplication, seeking forgiveness, being rightous and believing in God absolutely, and solely, God will redeem us completely.

“Exempted are those who repent, believe, and lead a righteous life. God transforms their sins into credits. God is Forgiver, Most Merciful.” (25:70)

Forgiveness as a Sign of Strength

The Quran underscores that forgiveness is a sign of true strength, not weakness. It encourages believers to emulate this divine quality in their interpersonal relationships. In 42:43, forgiveness is tied to moral excellence:

“Resorting to patience and forgiveness reflects a true strength of character.” (42:43)

The strength to forgive stems from an understanding of God’s justice. Humans are reminded to pardon others, trusting that ultimate judgment belongs to God, as emphasized in 2:109:

“You shall pardon them, and leave them alone, until God issues His judgment. God is Omnipotent.”

The same usage of pardon is applied here for the believers. This takes an inordinate strength and resolve from the believers. To completely wipe the slate clean, and leave them in the hands of God.

Forgiveness and God’s Omnipotence

The Quran often ties forgiveness to God’s omnipotence, demonstrating that His ability to forgive is an expression of His absolute authority over all creation. A powerful example is found in 4:149:

“…God is Pardoner, Omnipotent.”

This is the only verse in the entire Quran where God’s dual attribute of Omnipotence (Qadr) is related to a quality of Pardon (Afuw). Most of the verses that relay God’s omnipotence, is normally expressed as “God, over all things, is Omnipotence (Qadr).

This implies that pardoning is a higher function than forgiveness. What God does to purify us is entirely wipe out our sins, past and present (48:2). Despite our blasphemy, our desire to *test* God and trial this world by venturing into roads that vines of idolatry, desires and glorification of the ego, has a cost. These are transitory elements and they will fade, only our connection to God is permanent and inseverable.

Another significant instance appears in 66:8, where God’s omnipotence is explicitly connected to His mercy and forgiveness for those who repent:

“O you who believe, you shall repent to God a firm repentance. Your Lord will then remit your sins and admit you into gardens with flowing streams. On that day, God will not disappoint the prophet and those who believed with him. Their light will radiate in front of them and to their right. They will say, ‘Our Lord, perfect our light for us, and forgive us; You are Omnipotent.’” (66:8)

This verse illustrates that forgiveness is not only an act of mercy but also a demonstration of God’s unparalleled authority to absolve sins. The condition is that the repentance is firm. You cannot make a repentance that you do not believe in. E.g. “God forgive me, for I have sinned, (insert excuse), God willing I will not repeat it“. Compare this to the firm repentance “God forgive me for I have sinned, I will never repeat this sin by your leave, to you I submit a total submission, you are the pardoner, omnipotent“.

Forgiveness and repentance therefore is tied to resolution. If you are unwilling to jump to God, and accept his full Mercy and Authority, you lack the strength internally to even reject the life of sin/idolatry. To make that leap, is entirely dependant on you. No one can make that choice for you.

Human Forgiveness and Divine Guidance

Forgiveness is not solely a divine act; it is a virtue that believers are encouraged to practice. In 45:14, God commands forgiveness as a reflection of patience and trust in His justice:

“Tell those who believed to forgive those who do not expect the days of God. He will fully pay everyone for whatever they have earned.”

This command highlights forgiveness as a means of aligning with God’s will, trusting that He alone will balance the scales of justice.

Believers are repeatedly urged to seek forgiveness and race toward it as a form of redemption. In 3:133, forgiveness is portrayed as a divine reward that leads to eternal peace:

“You should eagerly race towards forgiveness from your Lord and a Paradise whose width encompasses the heavens and the earth; it awaits the righteous.”

It is of note that Paradise encompasses the entirety of our universe in one dimension. This is akin to saying the width of a table is the span of a bedroom. Meaning that if you account for the height, depth and if Paradise is of a higher dimension, those dimensions too. The allegorical volume of Paradise is significantly larger than the scale of our vast universe.

We are commanded to eagerly race towards His forgiveness. There is an urgency and impassioned desire to reach this. One must not be lackadaisical in their approach to God. This is repeated in 2:148 and 57:21

57:21 Therefore, you shall race towards forgiveness from your Lord and a Paradise whose width encompasses the width of heaven and earth. It awaits those who believed in God and His messengers. Such is God’s grace that He bestows upon whomever He wills. God is Possessor of Infinite Grace.

2:148 Each of you chooses the direction to follow; you shall race towards righteousness. Wherever you may be, God will summon you all. God is Omnipotent.

The Quran closes this call to forgiveness with reminders of God’s infinite grace, as seen in 39:53:

“Proclaim: ‘O My servants who exceeded the limits, never despair of God’s mercy. For God forgives all sins. He is the Forgiver, Most Merciful.’”

Whenever God uses the word Forgiver (Ghafur), He consistently ties it to Mercy (Raheem). This is highlighting to us that there are layers of forgiveness and this is tied to His Mercy. God’s Mercy is such that He will cleanse us of these small (comparatively) sins of this world, but the sin of idolatry is unforgivable.

“God does not forgive idolatry, but He forgives lesser offenses for whomever He wills. Anyone who sets up idols beside God, has forged a horrendous offense.” (4:48)

Forgive yourself

These verses highlight that forgiveness, is not an easy feat. Many people will traverse the world, climb the highest mountains, endure excruciating pain, before they forgive others, let alone themselves. God gives us the tools in the Quran to reach salvation. This is a key trait of a believer. That you choose to let go, that you choose to forgive. Just as your repentance must be a firm repentance, forgiveness extends to the self. Ultimately, only God can pardon our transgression, but your repentence must be a pure state of surrender.

There must not be an ember within your being, that resists the Almighty. Your sin, will be paid for, in exact measure, you are trapped by it:

74:38 Every soul is trapped by its sins.

If you cannot find the space in your being to forgive yourself, you lack the conviction and dedication to break free from committing further sins. Only God has this power, but you must make the first steps towards him.

The Quran’s emphasis on forgiveness—both divine and human—serves as a cornerstone for cultivating mercy, patience, and humility. The terms Ghufur and Afuw reveal layers of God’s mercy: while Ghufur focuses on His readiness to forgive, Afuw elevates this forgiveness to a complete erasure of sins. Both are grounded in God’s omnipotence, underscoring His unparalleled authority.

For believers, the call to forgive reflects not only a personal virtue but also an alignment with divine principles. By forgiving others and seeking forgiveness from God, one embodies a profound trust in His justice and mercy, striving toward the ultimate reward of His grace.