Al-Ghaffar

The One who forgives sins again and again, abundantly. Allah Almighty says: "Indeed, Allah is Pardoning and Forgiving." (Al-Hajj, 60) "But indeed, I am the Perpetual Forgiver of whoever repents and believes and does righteousness and then continues in guidance." (Ta-Ha, 82) "Say: 'O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.'" (Az-Zumar, 53) The One who conceals sins abundantly, whose forgiveness is vast, and who pardons the sins of His servants time and again. Al-Ghaffar is the One who goes to the utmost in concealing the sins of His servants — so much so that He exposes those sins neither in this world nor in the next. The believer should always remain between fear and hope with regard to repentance and forgiveness. However much a Muslim worships, he cannot feel secure from Allah's punishment; and however sinful he may be, he cannot despair of Allah's forgiveness and pardon. It is for this reason that at the end of the Qunut supplications, which are obligatory in the final rak'ah of the Witr prayer, we pray: "O Lord, we hope for Your mercy and fear Your punishment." "Do not despair of the mercy of Allah." (Az-Zumar, 53) This is said to be the most hope-giving verse in the Qur'an. Care must be taken, however: as the two verses that immediately follow make clear, this hope is not an encouragement to sin, but an encouragement for even the most sinful to repent without delay and turn to Allah. Allah Most High is the One who brings beauty to light in this world, conceals what is ugly and sinful, and in the Hereafter refrains from punishing those failings and forgives them. Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "A servant committed a sin and said, 'O my Lord, forgive me my sin.' And Allah Most High said, 'My servant has committed a sin and then realised that he has a Lord who forgives sins or punishes for them.' Then the servant returned and sinned again and said, 'O my Lord, forgive me my sin.' And Allah Most High said, 'My servant has committed a sin and realised that he has a Lord who forgives sins or punishes for them.' Then the servant returned and sinned again and said, 'O my Lord, forgive me.' And Allah Most High said, 'My servant has committed a sin and realised that he has a Lord who forgives sins or takes to account for them. Do as you wish, for I have forgiven you.'"

For the forgiveness of sins and for difficulties and hardships to be resolved, it is recited 1,281 times as "Ya Ghaffar, jalla jalaluhu". In whoever recites it a hundred times after the Friday prayer, the traces of forgiveness become visible. The anger of one who is angry departs, he is forgiven, and his faults are covered.