إِنَّمَا ٱلتَّوْبَةُ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ لِلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ ٱلسُّوٓءَ بِجَهَـٰلَةٍ ثُمَّ يَتُوبُونَ مِن قَرِيبٍ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يَتُوبُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا 17
Translations
The repentance accepted by Allāh is only for those who do wrong in ignorance [or carelessness] and then repent soon [after]. It is those to whom Allāh will turn in forgiveness, and Allāh is ever Knowing and Wise.
Transliteration
Innama al-tawbatu ala Allah lilladhina ya'malun al-su'a bi-jahala thumma yatubun min qaribin fa-ula'ika yatub Allah alayhim wa-kana Allah aliman hakiman
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes that repentance is accepted by Allah for those who commit sins out of ignorance (jahala) and then repent promptly (min qaribin). Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir explain that 'jahala' here refers to committing sin without deliberate, persistent rebellion against Allah's commands, and that repentance is guaranteed acceptance when sincere and timely. The ayah emphasizes Allah's All-Knowledge and Wisdom in accepting the repentance of His servants, demonstrating His mercy even after transgression.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah An-Nisa (revealed in Medina), which addresses social and legal matters of the Islamic community. The ayah comes within the broader context of establishing moral and ethical guidelines, and follows verses dealing with prohibition of unlawful consumption of orphans' wealth. It reflects the Quranic principle that sincere repentance is always available to believers who have erred unintentionally rather than through arrogant defiance.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'All the sons of Adam are sinners, but the best of the sinners are those who repent' (Tirmidhi). Also relevant is the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet stated that Allah accepts repentance as long as the soul has not reached the throat (i.e., before death).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah provides profound hope for believers that sincere and timely repentance erases past sins, encouraging Muslims to turn back to Allah without despair regardless of their mistakes. The condition of repenting 'min qaribin' (soon) reminds us that delay in seeking forgiveness diminishes the acceptance, emphasizing the importance of immediate remorse and amendment.
Related Ayahs
مَّن يَشْفَعْ شَفَـٰعَةً حَسَنَةً يَكُن لَّهُۥ نَصِيبٌ مِّنْهَا ۖ وَمَن يَشْفَعْ شَفَـٰعَةً سَيِّئَةً يَكُن لَّهُۥ كِفْلٌ مِّنْهَا ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ مُّقِيتًا
Whoever intercedes for a good cause will have a share [i.e., reward] therefrom; and whoever intercedes for an evil cause will have a portion [i.e., burden] therefrom. And ever is Allāh, over all things, a Keeper.
وَٱلَّذَانِ يَأْتِيَـٰنِهَا مِنكُمْ فَـَٔاذُوهُمَا ۖ فَإِن تَابَا وَأَصْلَحَا فَأَعْرِضُوا۟ عَنْهُمَآ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ تَوَّابًا رَّحِيمًا
And the two who commit it [i.e., unlawful sexual intercourse] among you - punish [i.e., dishonor] them both. But if they repent and correct themselves, leave them alone. Indeed, Allāh is ever Accepting of Repentance and Merciful.
وَدُّوا۟ لَوْ تَكْفُرُونَ كَمَا كَفَرُوا۟ فَتَكُونُونَ سَوَآءً ۖ فَلَا تَتَّخِذُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ أَوْلِيَآءَ حَتَّىٰ يُهَاجِرُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَخُذُوهُمْ وَٱقْتُلُوهُمْ حَيْثُ وَجَدتُّمُوهُمْ ۖ وَلَا تَتَّخِذُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ وَلِيًّا وَلَا نَصِيرًا
They wish you would disbelieve as they disbelieved so you would be alike. So do not take from among them allies until they emigrate for the cause of Allāh. But if they turn away [i.e., refuse], then seize them and kill them [for their betrayal] wherever you find them and take not from among them any ally or helper,
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ ءَامِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلَّذِى نَزَّلَ عَلَىٰ رَسُولِهِۦ وَٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ مِن قَبْلُ ۚ وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِٱللَّهِ وَمَلَـٰٓئِكَتِهِۦ وَكُتُبِهِۦ وَرُسُلِهِۦ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلَـٰلًۢا بَعِيدًا
O you who have believed, believe in Allāh and His Messenger and the Book that He sent down upon His Messenger and the Scripture which He sent down before. And whoever disbelieves in Allāh, His angels, His books, His messengers, and the Last Day has certainly gone far astray.