Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
The Forgiver of sin, the Acceptor of repentance, the Severe in punishment, the Bestower (of favours). Lâ ilâha illâ Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), to Him is the final return.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
غَافِرِghāfiri(The) Forgiver
ٱلذَّنۢبِl-dhanbi(of) the sin
وَقَابِلِwaqābiliand (the) Acceptor
ٱلتَّوْبِl-tawbi(of) [the] repentance
شَدِيدِshadīdisevere
ٱلْعِقَابِl-ʿiqābi(in) the punishment
ذِىdhīOwner (of) the abundance
ٱلطَّوْلِ ۖl-ṭawliOwner (of) the abundance
لَآlā(There is) no
إِلَـٰهَilāhagod
إِلَّاillāexcept
هُوَ ۖhuwaHim
إِلَيْهِilayhito Him
ٱلْمَصِيرُl-maṣīru(is) the final return
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
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.
The tafsir of this verse may be read with the following verses.
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
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.
3. 1 He is the Forgiver of past sins and the Acceptor of repentance for future shortcomings, or He is the Forgiver for His friends, and if the disbelievers and polytheists repent, He is the Acceptor of their repentance.
3. 2 For those who prefer the world over the Hereafter and choose the path of rebellion and transgression, this is similar to Allah’s statement: (نَبِّئْعِبَادِيْٓاَنِّىْٓاَنَاالْغَفُوْرُالرَّحِيْمُ 49ۙ وَاَنَّعَذَابِيْهُوَالْعَذَابُالْاَلِيْمُ 50) 15. Al-Hijr:49) "Inform My servants that I am indeed Forgiving and Merciful, and that My punishment is also very painful." In the Noble Quran, these two attributes are often mentioned together so that a person remains between fear and hope, because mere fear can make a person despair of Allah’s mercy and forgiveness, and mere hope can make one bold in committing sins.
3. 3 The meaning of "tawl" is abundance and richness, that is, He alone is the Giver of abundance and richness. Some say its meaning is favor and grace, that is, He is the One who bestows favor and grace upon His servants.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
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.
3. He is the Forgiver of sin, the Acceptor of repentance, severe in punishment, and the Possessor of bounty. There is no deity except Him; to Him is the final return [1].
[1] Some Comprehensive Attributes of the One Who Revealed the Quran:
Verse 2 and 3 are the introduction of this Surah. In them, the current situation of Makkah and the disputes between truth and falsehood are also mentioned, and some relevant attributes of the One Who revealed this Book are described in such a manner that the ocean has been contained in a vessel. The fundamental objection of the disbelievers was that this speech is not revealed from Allah, but rather it is your own invention. Right at the beginning, it is stated that this Book is not revealed from any weak being, but from that Allah Who is dominant over everything in the universe and, despite your hostile efforts and conspiracies, has the power to elevate and enforce His word. His second attribute is that He has direct and complete knowledge of everything. Therefore, O disbelievers of Makkah! Whatever news has been given in this Book, all are correct and certain. The third attribute mentioned is that He Himself continues to forgive many sins of His obedient servants. The fourth attribute is that if the disbelievers repent and enter the fold of Islam, He accepts their repentance and forgives their previous sins, and this attribute is not limited only to new Muslims, but any servant who, feeling remorse for his sins, turns to Him and seeks forgiveness for his sins, He also forgives his sins. The fifth attribute is that He can break the stiffened necks of His rebels by giving them severe punishment, whether He gives this punishment in this world or in the Hereafter. And His sixth attribute is that He is generous; He continuously showers blessings, and He does not deprive even His disobedient ones of them. After mentioning so many attributes, the reality of those two fundamental disputes is explained, which were ongoing between the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and the disbelievers of Makkah. The first of these is that there is no deity except Allah; all other objects of worship are false, baseless, and useless. And the second is that the establishment of the Day of Resurrection is certain, and all of you will surely be presented before Allah.