لِّيَغْفِرَ لَكَ ٱللَّهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِن ذَنۢبِكَ وَمَا تَأَخَّرَ وَيُتِمَّ نِعْمَتَهُۥ عَلَيْكَ وَيَهْدِيَكَ صِرَٰطًا مُّسْتَقِيمًا 2
Translations
That Allāh may forgive for you what preceded of your sin [i.e., errors] and what will follow and complete His favor upon you and guide you to a straight path
Transliteration
Liyaghfira laka Allahu ma taqaddama min dhanbika wa ma ta'akhkhara wa yutimma ni'matahu 'alayka wa yahdika siratan mustaqiman
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah was revealed after the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah and assures Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that Allah will forgive his past and future sins, complete His blessings upon him, and guide him to the straight path. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that this verse is specific to the Prophet and demonstrates Allah's special mercy toward him, while also affirming that the Prophet's struggles and efforts are honored by Divine forgiveness and guidance. The forgiveness encompasses both previous transgressions and those to come, reflecting the Prophet's elevated spiritual station and his role as the final messenger.
Revelation Context
This surah was revealed after the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah (6 AH), when the Muslims perceived the treaty as a setback despite its later recognition as a great victory. The ayah addresses the Prophet's concerns and anxieties during this period, reassuring him that Allah's plan encompasses his guidance and the completion of his mission. The broader context emphasizes that what appeared as a temporary delay was actually a prelude to greater victories.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari 4419: The Prophet said, 'The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it,' which relates to the guidance mentioned in this ayah. Additionally, Tirmidhi 3706 contains the Prophet's statement about seeking forgiveness, connecting to the theme of divine pardon.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that apparent setbacks may be part of Allah's greater plan for success and guidance, and encourages trust in divine wisdom even when circumstances seem unclear. For the Prophet specifically, it demonstrates that sincere effort in serving Allah's cause is met with divine support and completion of blessing.
Related Ayahs
وَلَوْ قَـٰتَلَكُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَوَلَّوُا۟ ٱلْأَدْبَـٰرَ ثُمَّ لَا يَجِدُونَ وَلِيًّا وَلَا نَصِيرًا
And if those [Makkans] who disbelieve had fought you, they would have turned their backs [in flight]. Then they would not find a protector or a helper.
هُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَصَدُّوكُمْ عَنِ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ وَٱلْهَدْىَ مَعْكُوفًا أَن يَبْلُغَ مَحِلَّهُۥ ۚ وَلَوْلَا رِجَالٌ مُّؤْمِنُونَ وَنِسَآءٌ مُّؤْمِنَـٰتٌ لَّمْ تَعْلَمُوهُمْ أَن تَطَـُٔوهُمْ فَتُصِيبَكُم مِّنْهُم مَّعَرَّةٌۢ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ ۖ لِّيُدْخِلَ ٱللَّهُ فِى رَحْمَتِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ لَوْ تَزَيَّلُوا۟ لَعَذَّبْنَا ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا
They are the ones who disbelieved and obstructed you from al-Masjid al-Ḥarām while the offering was prevented from reaching its place of sacrifice. And if not for believing men and believing women whom you did not know - that you might trample [i.e., kill] them and there would befall you because of them dishonor without [your] knowledge - [you would have been permitted to enter Makkah]. [This was so] that Allāh might admit to His mercy whom He willed. If they had been apart [from them], We would have punished those who disbelieved among them with painful punishment
وَلِلَّهِ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ يَغْفِرُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيُعَذِّبُ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا
And to Allāh belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. He forgives whom He wills and punishes whom He wills. And ever is Allāh Forgiving and Merciful.
هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ ٱلسَّكِينَةَ فِى قُلُوبِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ لِيَزْدَادُوٓا۟ إِيمَـٰنًا مَّعَ إِيمَـٰنِهِمْ ۗ وَلِلَّهِ جُنُودُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا
It is He who sent down tranquility into the hearts of the believers that they would increase in faith along with their [present] faith. And to Allāh belong the soldiers of the heavens and the earth, and ever is Allāh Knowing and Wise.