ثُمَّ يَتُوبُ ٱللَّهُ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَآءُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ 27
Translations
Then Allāh will accept repentance after that for whom He wills; and Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
Transliteration
Thumma yatoobu Allahu min ba'di dhalika 'ala man yasha'u wa-Allahu Ghafurun Rahimun
Tafsir (Explanation)
After Allah's punishment and the humiliation of the hypocrites and those who turned away, Allah then grants repentance to whomever He wills from among them, demonstrating His ultimate authority over guidance and forgiveness. Ibn Kathir notes this ayah emphasizes that repentance from sins is a mercy from Allah that He grants to those He chooses, while Al-Qurtubi explains this follows the pattern of divine justice—first the punishment of those deserving it, then the mercy of forgiveness for those who sincerely repent. The ayah concludes by affirming Allah's attributes of being the All-Forgiving and the Most Merciful, offering hope to believers even after discussing severe divine punishment.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah At-Tawbah's discussion of the hypocrites and those who refused to participate in the Tabuk expedition. The broader context deals with Allah's treatment of hypocrites and those who broke their covenant; this particular verse provides a merciful counterpoint, showing that despite severe consequences for hypocrisy, the door to repentance remains open to those whom Allah chooses to guide.
Related Hadiths
Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'For every sin, if the sinner repents and seeks forgiveness, Allah accepts their repentance' (at-Tirmidhi). Also relevant: the hadith in Sahih Bukhari regarding Allah's joy at a servant's repentance, emphasizing that repentance is always possible through Allah's mercy.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that while actions have consequences, the path to forgiveness is never permanently closed—sincere repentance is always available through Allah's infinite mercy. It offers profound hope to those struggling with past mistakes, reminding us that Allah's mercy encompasses all things and that seeking forgiveness with genuine intent is always within reach.