سُوْرَةُ الْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ

Surah Al-Muminoon (23) — Ayah 118

The Believers · Meccan · Juz 18 · Page 349

وَقُل رَّبِّ ٱغْفِرْ وَٱرْحَمْ وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلرَّٰحِمِينَ ﴿118﴾
And say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "My Lord! Forgive and have mercy, for You are the Best of those who show mercy!"
وَقُل waqul And say
رَّبِّ rabbi My Lord
ٱغْفِرْ igh'fir Forgive
وَٱرْحَمْ wa-ir'ḥam and have mercy
وَأَنتَ wa-anta and You
خَيْرُ khayru (are the) Best
ٱلرَّٰحِمِينَ l-rāḥimīna (of) those who show mercy

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

(Ayah 118) ➊ { وَ قُلْ رَّبِّ اغْفِرْ وَ ارْحَمْ …:} Earlier in verse (109), Allah Almighty described one quality of His successful servants as that they make this supplication {’’ رَبِّنَااٰمَنَّا فَاغْفِرْلَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا وَ اَنْتَ خَيْرُ الرّٰحِمِيْنَ ‘‘}, and at the end of the Surah, He commanded to seek refuge in the forgiveness and mercy of their Lord, cutting themselves off from the disbelievers and polytheists, just like those servants. All the supplications in the Noble Qur’an that Allah Almighty has commanded with the word {’’ قُلْ ‘‘} are extremely comprehensive supplications and possess amazing and unique secrets. When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) is commanded to make this supplication, even though all his past and future sins have been forgiven by Allah (see Fath: 2), then the Ummah is all the more required to make this supplication.

➋ Ibn Kathir said: When the word {’’اَلْغَفْرُ‘‘} comes in an absolute sense, it means to erase the sin and to cover it from the people, and “mercy” means that Allah Almighty keeps one upright in all words and deeds and bestows His special success (Tawfiq).

{وَ اَنْتَ خَيْرُ الرّٰحِمِيْنَ:} This is a brief phrase; the complete sentence is: {’’رَبِّ اغْفِرْ وَ ارْحَمْ فَأَنْتَ خَيْرُ الْغَافِرِيْنَ وَ أَنْتَ خَيْرُ الرَّاحِمِيْنَ ‘‘} For its explanation, see the commentary of verse (109). Allah Almighty is the best of all those who show mercy because all other merciful ones show mercy only by what He has granted them, and even that is from their share of the hundredth part of His mercy.

➍ It is narrated from Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him): “Teach me a supplication that I may say in my prayer.” He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Say: [ اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّيْ ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِيْ ظُلْمًا كَثِيْرًا وَّلَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوْبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ فَاغْفِرْلِيْ مَغْفِرَةً مِّنْ عِنْدِكَ وَارْحَمْنِيْ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْغَفُوْرُ الرَّحِيْمُ ] [ بخاري، الأذان، باب الدعاء قبل السلام : ۸۳۴ ] “O Allah! Indeed, I have wronged myself greatly, and none forgives sins except You, so forgive me with a great forgiveness from Yourself, and have mercy on me, for surely You are the greatest of all, Most Merciful.”

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

The exegesis of this verse has been done along with the previous verse.

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

118. And pray to Allah: "O my Lord! Forgive me [110] and have mercy on me, and You are the best of those who show mercy."

[110] Earlier, in verse 109 of this same surah, it was mentioned that when My servants would supplicate to Me for forgiveness and mercy, the disbelievers would mock them. After describing their outcome, the Prophet of Islam and the Muslims are being instructed that they should continue to supplicate to Allah for mercy and forgiveness in all circumstances. And since Allah is the greatest of all and the Most Merciful, you should be certain that He, out of His mercy, will forgive your shortcomings and mistakes.