Exegesis of the saying of Allah the Exalted: “Indeed, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful”

This is an active participle in the form of intensification, meaning one who forgives abundantly. It is permissible to interpret it as a descriptive attribute or as “possessor of forgiveness.” The descriptive attribute is more eloquent than the active participle because the active participle indicates the action, whereas the descriptive attribute indicates the quality, meaning that the one described by it possesses that quality permanently. As for his statement: “for whoever repents,” there is some consideration involved, because Allah the Exalted forgives even those who have not repented, among those who are under His will, such as the doer of sins. If the author (may Allah have mercy on him) had left it in its general form, it would have been safer for him. So we say “Oft-Forgiving,” meaning one who forgives abundantly, or “possessor of forgiveness” who is permanently characterized by it. This is closer, as I said, because it indicates a permanent quality. This is indicated by His saying: [Surah al-Ra'd: 6] and His saying: “with it” means with it, i.e., with whoever repents. The correct view is that He is Merciful to whoever repents and to others, and that the mercy of Allah (Mighty and Majestic) in the general sense includes the believer and the disbeliever, the righteous and the wicked, and everyone, for everyone is within the mercy of Allah. This is in the general sense. As for the specific sense, mercy is exclusive to the believers.