إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ تَابُوا۟ وَأَصْلَحُوا۟ وَبَيَّنُوا۟ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَتُوبُ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ وَأَنَا ٱلتَّوَّابُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ 160
Translations
Except for those who repent and correct themselves and make evident [what they concealed]. Those - I will accept their repentance, and I am the Accepting of Repentance, the Merciful.
Transliteration
Illa alladhina taboo wa aslahoo wa bayyanu fa-ula-ika atoobu alayihim wa ana al-Tawwabu al-Raheem
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah provides an exception to the previous verses about those who conceal the signs of Allah: those who repent, reform their conduct, and make clear the truth will find that Allah accepts their repentance, for He is Al-Tawwab (The Ever-Returning to Mercy) and Al-Rahim (The Merciful). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that true repentance (tawbah) requires three conditions: abandoning the sin, reforming one's actions, and clarifying the truth to others. This ayah demonstrates Allah's mercy is always available to the sincere repenter.
Revelation Context
This ayah follows verses 2:159 which condemns those who conceal clear signs and proofs from people. It is situated within the broader Medinan context addressing the People of the Book who knowingly concealed truths about Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The ayah illustrates the door of repentance remaining open even for grave sins of concealment.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Verily, Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His servant than one of you is pleased with finding his lost camel in the desert' (Sahih Muslim 2744). Additionally, 'The one who repents from sin is like one who has no sin' (Sunan Ibn Majah 4250).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah offers profound hope: no matter how grave one's transgressions, sincere repentance combined with righteous action and spreading truth opens the door to Allah's boundless mercy. For believers today, it emphasizes that repentance is not merely internal remorse but must manifest in reformed behavior and active participation in conveying truth.