Meaning & Explanation
Al-Ghafur is the One who forgives all sins and covers all faults for those who sincerely repent. His forgiveness is vast and encompasses even the gravest sins. He loves to forgive and encourages His servants to seek His forgiveness.
Quran References
3 versesContext: Beginning of Surah Ghafir
غَافِرِ الذَّنبِ وَقَابِلِ التَّوْبِ
“Forgiver of sin, accepter of repentance”
Context: Most hopeful verse in Quran
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
“Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful”
Context: Allah's nature is to forgive
إِنَّهُ كَانَ حَلِيمًا غَفُورًا
“Indeed He is ever Forbearing and Forgiving”
Exemplifying Story
hadithThe Prostitute and the Dog
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim
The Prophet ﷺ told of a prostitute from the Children of Israel who saw a dog circling a well, nearly dead from thirst. She took off her shoe, tied it to her head-covering, and drew water for the dog. The animal drank and lived. Allah forgave all her sins for that one merciful act. The Companions were amazed: "Is there reward for us in animals?" The Prophet ﷺ replied: "In every living being there is reward." Al-Ghafur forgave a lifetime of sin for one moment of sincere compassion.
Al-Ghafur's forgiveness is vast beyond imagination. A single good deed done with sincerity can erase countless sins. Never underestimate His willingness to forgive.