AL-GHAFUR

 

Ghafur is Allah's covering of the servant's sins to protect them from torment. One is called Ghafur not for forgiving only a single sin, but for forgiving every kind of sin in every situation.

 

(39:53)

Say [that Allah declares,] ‘O My servants who have committed excesses against their own souls, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed Allah will forgive all sins. Indeed, He is the All-Forgiving, the All-Merciful.

 

 

AL-GHAFFAR

 

The name Ghaffar means the infinitely forgiving, the one who always forgives, the one who never tires of forgiving, especially the one who forgives repeated sins, and whose forgiveness is absolute, infinite, unique, and unparalleled. It expresses a forgiveness oriented toward the number and repetition of sins, rather than their greatness or smallness.

 

(20:82)

But indeed, I am the Perpetual Forgiver of whoever repents and believes and does righteousness and then continues in guidance.

 

 

 

Ghafur expresses the abundance and comprehensiveness of forgiveness, while Ghaffar expresses the infiniteness, uniqueness, and incomparability of forgiveness. The name Ghafur is more comprehensive than the name Ghaffar.

 

 

AL-HALEEM

 

The name Haleem(Al-Ḥalīm) means the absolute and infinite subject who does not hurry in punishing His servant, who is tolerant, who does not punish with anger, and whose unique and unparalleled forbearance no one can reach.

 

(5:101)

O you who believe! Ask not about things which, if made plain to you, may cause you trouble. But if you ask about them while the Quran is being revealed, they will be made plain to you. Allah has forgiven that, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Forbearing.

 

 

AL-AFUW

 

The name Afuw means the one whose forgiveness is limitless, the unique and unparalleled forgiver, the one who cleanses human beings from their sins by forgiving them, and the one who pardons the servant by giving up on punishing their sins.

 

(22:60)

That is so. And whoever has retaliated with the like of that which he was made to suffer, and then has again been wronged, Allah will surely help him. Verily! Allah indeed is Oft-Pardoning, Oft-Forgiving.

 

 

 

The difference between Afuv and Ghafur is this: In the name Afuv the punishment for the crime is waived, in the name Ghafur there is an act of forgiving as if the crime were never committed. That is, the perpetrator’s crime is brought to their face and they are rebuked, but they are forgiven. In Ghafur, these are not present either.

 

 

AT-TAWWAB

 

Tawwab means the one who turns toward those who repent with His forgiveness, who directs His servants to repent, and who accepts repentances at all times and in all places without looking at the number, frequency, type, or quantity of the sin.

 

(2:160)

Except those who repent and do righteous deeds, and openly declare (the truth which they concealed). These, I will accept their repentance. And I am the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful.

 

 

AL-WADUD

 

Al-Wadud means the one who loves much and is loved much. Allah is the source of absolute, infinite, unique, and unparalleled love. Al-Wadud carries the emphasis of "the one who loves with limitless love and who also demands limitless love from the servants He loves."

 

(11:90)

"And ask forgiveness of your Lord and turn unto Him in repentance. Verily, my Lord is Most Merciful, Most Loving(Most Affectionate)."