t-w-b

Description

The Arabic root ت-و-ب (t-w-b) fundamentally means to turn back or return, carrying the core semantic concept of reversing direction toward a previous state. In the Quranic context, this root expresses the bilateral relationship of repentance between God and humanity: humans turn back to God from sin (tawbah/repentance), while God turns toward humanity with mercy and forgiveness, accepting their return (tawwāb). This reciprocal dynamic emphasizes that sincere repentance involves actively turning away from wrongdoing and returning to divine guidance, with God being consistently described as the One who repeatedly accepts and facilitates this return.