Names of Allah
Name #13 of 99

ٱلْغَفَّارُ

Al-Ghaffar

“The Oft-Forgiving”

Quranic Reference: Surah Taha 20:82

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Prophet Yunus and the Whale

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.

“And indeed I am All-Forgiving to him who repents, believes, does righteous deeds and then remains constant in doing them.”

[Ta Ha (20): 82]

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

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“What mistakes have you made where you experienced Allah's forgiveness?”
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Prophetic Traditions

وَاَلَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ، لَوْ لَمْ تُذْنِبُوا لَذَهَبَ اللَّهُ بِكُمْ، وَلَجَاءَ بِقَوْمٍ يُذْنِبُونَ، فَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ اللَّهَ، فَيَغْفِرُ لَهُمْ

“By the One in Whose Hand is my soul! If you did not sin, Allah would replace you with a people who would sin, and they would seek forgiveness from Allah, and He would forgive them.”

Allah loves to forgive—His attribute Al-Ghaffar is meant to be engaged with through repentance.

Abu Ayyub and Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنهما·Sahih Muslim 2749
Sahih

Scholarly Insights

Al-Ghaffar (with the intensified form) indicates that Allah forgives sins repeatedly and abundantly—not just once, but continuously for those who turn to Him.

Ibn KathirTafsir Ibn Kathir

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Prophet Yunus and the Whale

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

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Supplication

أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيَّ الْقَيُّومَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ

Astaghfir-ullah alladhi la ilaha illa Huwa al-Hayy al-Qayyum wa atubu ilayh

“I seek forgiveness from Allah, besides Whom there is no deity, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer, and I repent to Him.”

Sunan Abu Dawud 1517 — graded Sahih; erases sins even if like sea foamAl-Ghaffar forgives again and again — no sin is too great, no return too late.

Living With Al-Ghaffar

  • 1

    Repent frequently—Al-Ghaffar loves those who seek His forgiveness repeatedly.

  • 2

    Don't let the same sin returning discourage you—keep returning to Al-Ghaffar.

  • 3

    Forgive others as you seek Al-Ghaffar's forgiveness for yourself.

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