وَهُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلْوَدُودُ 14
Translations
And He is the Forgiving, the Affectionate,
Transliteration
Wa huwa al-Ghafūru al-Wadūd
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah is both Al-Ghafūr (The Forgiving) and Al-Wadūd (The Loving/Affectionate). Al-Ghafūr denotes His infinite capacity to pardon sins and overlook transgressions, while Al-Wadūd emphasizes His tender mercy and loving-kindness toward His creation. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that these two divine attributes work together—Allah's forgiveness flows from His profound love for His servants, encouraging repentance and hope even in the face of grave sin.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Buruj is a Meccan surah revealed during the period of intense persecution of early Muslims. This closing ayah provides solace to the persecuted believers by reminding them of Allah's merciful and loving nature despite their worldly sufferings. The surah's overall context emphasizes Allah's omniscience and justice, culminating in this reassurance of His forgiveness and affection toward the believers.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'My mercy precedes My wrath' (Sahih Bukhari). Additionally, 'Verily, Allah is more merciful to His servants than a mother to her child' (Sahih Muslim), which beautifully illustrates the meaning of Al-Wadūd.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that no sin is too great for Allah's forgiveness when coupled with sincere repentance, and that Allah's love for His creation motivates His mercy toward them. For modern readers, it provides profound comfort and encouragement to turn back to Allah with hope rather than despair, knowing that His affection for His servants supersedes His justice.
Related Ayahs
يَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَيُدْخِلْكُمْ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ وَمَسَـٰكِنَ طَيِّبَةً فِى جَنَّـٰتِ عَدْنٍ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ
He will forgive for you your sins and admit you to gardens beneath which rivers flow and pleasant dwellings in gardens of perpetual residence. That is the great attainment.
ٱلَّذِينَ يَحْمِلُونَ ٱلْعَرْشَ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهُۥ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِۦ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ رَبَّنَا وَسِعْتَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ رَّحْمَةً وَعِلْمًا فَٱغْفِرْ لِلَّذِينَ تَابُوا۟ وَٱتَّبَعُوا۟ سَبِيلَكَ وَقِهِمْ عَذَابَ ٱلْجَحِيمِ
Those [angels] who carry the Throne and those around it exalt [Allāh] with praise of their Lord and believe in Him and ask forgiveness for those who have believed, [saying], "Our Lord, You have encompassed all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who have repented and followed Your way and protect them from the punishment of Hellfire.
وَٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا فَعَلُوا۟ فَـٰحِشَةً أَوْ ظَلَمُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ ذَكَرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ فَٱسْتَغْفَرُوا۟ لِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَمَن يَغْفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ وَلَمْ يُصِرُّوا۟ عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلُوا۟ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ
And those who, when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves [by transgression], remember Allāh and seek forgiveness for their sins - and who can forgive sins except Allāh? - and [who] do not persist in what they have done while they know.
فَإِنِ ٱنتَهَوْا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
And if they cease, then indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.