Meaning & Explanation
At-Tawwab is the One who constantly accepts repentance and turns to His servants with mercy. He not only accepts repentance but encourages and enables it. The name implies repeated turning - He turns to us so we can turn to Him.
Quran References
2 versesContext: Adam's repentance accepted
فَتَلَقَّىٰ آدَمُ مِن رَّبِّهِ كَلِمَاتٍ فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ إِنَّهُ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ
“Then Adam received from his Lord words, and He accepted his repentance. Indeed, it is He who is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful”
Context: Allah turning to the three who lagged behind
ثُمَّ تَابَ عَلَيْهِمْ لِيَتُوبُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ
“Then He turned to them so they could repent. Indeed, Allah is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful”
Exemplifying Story
quranThe Acceptance of Adam's Repentance
Reference: Surah Al-Baqarah 2:37
When Adam and Hawwa ate from the forbidden tree, they felt immediate shame and fear. They said: "Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers." At-Tawwab did not just forgive them - He actively helped them repent by teaching Adam words of repentance. Then Allah accepted their tawbah and chose Adam as a prophet. The first sin in human history was met with the first demonstration of At-Tawwab's nature - He turns to His servants so they can turn to Him.
At-Tawwab's name implies mutual turning - He turns to us first with mercy, enabling us to turn to Him in repentance. His door is always open, and He rejoices in our return.