Names of Allah
Name #65 of 99

ٱلْعَفُوُّ

Al-Afuw

“The Pardoner”

Quranic Reference: Surah An-Nisa 4:43

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The Record That Was Erased

Experience this name through an immersive narrative journey with Quranic verses, animations, and guided reflection.

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Scholarly Explanation

The one who was, and is, known with the Attribute of forgiveness. The one who was, and is, described as showing forgiveness and clemency to His servants. Everyone is in dire need of His forgiveness just as they are in dire need of His mercy and kindness. Allah has promised forgiveness to the one who fulfils its conditions.

“Whether you disclose a good deed, or conceal it, or pardon an evil - verily Allah is the 'Afuww, All-Powerful.”

[an-Nisa' (4): 149]

From “Explanation to the Beautiful and Perfect Names of Allah” — Shaykh as-Sa’di (d.1376H)

Reflect on This Name

“What sin do you wish Al-Afuw would erase from your record?”
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Prophetic Traditions

قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ عَلِمْتُ أَيَّ لَيْلَةٍ لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ مَا أَقُولُ فِيهَا قَالَ قُولِي اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي

“I said: O Messenger of Allah, if I know which night is Laylat al-Qadr, what should I say? He said: Say 'O Allah, You are the Pardoner and You love to pardon, so pardon me.'”

The Prophet ﷺ chose this dua for the greatest night of the year, showing how central Allah's pardon is.

Aisha رضي الله عنها·Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3513
Sahih

Scholarly Insights

Al-'Afuw goes beyond Al-Ghafoor. Forgiving (maghfirah) means covering the sin, while pardoning ('afw) means erasing it completely as if it never existed.

Ibn al-QayyimMadarij as-Salikin

The servant who embodies Al-'Afuw pardons those who wrong him, overlooks faults, and erases grudges from his heart—thus resembling the angels of Allah.

Al-GhazaliAl-Maqsad al-Asna

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The Record That Was Erased

Continue your journey with an immersive interactive narrative, complete with Quranic recitation, animations, and guided reflection.

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Supplication

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي

Allahumma innaka 'Afuwwun tuhibbul-'afwa fa'fu 'anni

“O Allah, You are the Pardoner, You love to pardon, so pardon me.”

Sunan at-Tirmidhi 3513 — graded Sahih; taught by the Prophet ﷺ for Laylat al-QadrAl-Afuw doesn't just forgive — He erases the sin from your record entirely.

Living With Al-Afuw

  • 1

    Pardon those who wrong you, seeking the pardon of Al-'Afuw in return.

  • 2

    Make the dua 'Allahumma innaka 'Afuwwun...' frequently, especially in the last ten nights of Ramadan.

  • 3

    Let go of grudges—Al-'Afuw loves to erase sins, so erase offenses from your heart.

  • 4

    When tempted to retaliate, remember that Al-'Afuw's pardon is greater than any vengeance.

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