يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ تُوبُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ تَوْبَةً نَّصُوحًا عَسَىٰ رَبُّكُمْ أَن يُكَفِّرَ عَنكُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتِكُمْ وَيُدْخِلَكُمْ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ يَوْمَ لَا يُخْزِى ٱللَّهُ ٱلنَّبِىَّ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَعَهُۥ ۖ نُورُهُمْ يَسْعَىٰ بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَبِأَيْمَـٰنِهِمْ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَآ أَتْمِمْ لَنَا نُورَنَا وَٱغْفِرْ لَنَآ ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ 8
Translations
O you who have believed, repent to Allāh with sincere repentance. Perhaps your Lord will remove from you your misdeeds and admit you into gardens beneath which rivers flow [on] the Day when Allāh will not disgrace the Prophet and those who believed with him. Their light will proceed before them and on their right; they will say, "Our Lord, perfect for us our light and forgive us. Indeed, You are over all things competent."
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu tubu ila Allahi tawbatan nasuha asa rabbukum an yukaffira ankum sayyiatikum wa yudkhilakum janatin tajri min tahtiha al-anharu yawma la yukhzi Allahu al-nabbiya wa alladhina amanu maahu nuruhum yasʿa bayna aydihim wa bi-aymanihim yaqulun rabbana atmim lana nurana wa aghfir lana innaka ala kulli shay in qadir
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah calls believers to sincere repentance (tawbah nasuha) that is complete, unwavering, and free from intention to return to sin. Ibn Kathir explains that such repentance requires the abandonment of wrongdoing, remorse for the past, and firm resolve not to repeat the sin. The ayah promises that sincere repentance leads to expiation of sins and entry into Paradise, followed by a vivid description of the Day of Judgment where the Prophet and believers will not be humiliated, their light proceeding before them, supplicating Allah to perfect their light.
Revelation Context
This surah (At-Tahrim) is Medinan and was revealed regarding the Prophet's household matters. However, this particular ayah carries a general message of repentance applicable to all believers. It comes at the conclusion of the surah and serves as a transformative call to rectify one's relationship with Allah, emphasizing that sincere repentance is always accessible to the believers regardless of their past actions.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (SAW) said: 'Whoever repents before the sun rises from the west, Allah will forgive him' (Sahih Muslim 2703). Additionally, 'Verily, Allah loves those who repent and loves those who keep themselves pure' (Sunan Ibn Majah 3223, related to repentance and purification).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that no sin is too great for Allah's forgiveness when one turns to Him with sincere, unwavering repentance—offering believers hope and a clear path to spiritual renewal. It reminds us that true repentance is not merely verbal but requires genuine commitment to abandon wrongdoing and transform our hearts, with the promise that Allah will honor and illuminate those who sincerely return to Him.