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There are verses in the Qur’ān that don’t just speak to the heart — they linger in it. For me,  ﴾أَلَا تُحِبُّونَ أَن يَغْفِرَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ﴿   (An-Nūr: 22) is one of those verses.

It has echoed within me countless times, especially in moments when forgiveness felt difficult, when hurt ran deep, and when I needed a reason to rise above. This verse doesn’t just call us to forgive — it reminds us why. It connects the way we treat others directly with our own standing before Allah. It asks a deeply humbling question: Would You Not Love That Allah Forgives You? — a question that changes everything.

The Story Behind the Verse:

This verse was revealed in the aftermath of the painful incident of Ifk (slander) against Ummunā (our mother) ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنها. One of those who got involved in spreading the false rumour was Miṣṭaḥ ibn Uthāthah, a relative of Abū Bakr aṣ-Ṣiddīq رضي الله عنه, who used to financially support him due to his poverty and kinship. Deeply hurt by Miṣṭaḥ’s behaviour in the above incident, Abū Bakr swore not to provide for him anymore.

But Allah revealed this verse to redirect that emotion toward forgiveness:

وَلَا يَأْتَلِ أُوْلُواْ ٱلْفَضْلِ مِنكُمْ وَٱلسَّعَةِ أَن يُؤْتُوٓاْ أُوْلِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَٰكِينَ وَٱلْمُهَٰجِرِينَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَلْيَعْفُواْ وَلْيَصْفَحُوٓاْ ۗ أَلَا تُحِبُّونَ أَن يَغْفِرَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ﴾  (النور - 22)﴿  

"Let not those among you who are blessed with wealth and virtue swear not to help their relatives, the needy, and those who migrated in the cause of Allah. Let them pardon and overlook. Do you not love that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving, Merciful." [An-Nūr: 22]

As soon as Abū Bakr heard this, he responded with a heart full of sincerity:
"Yes, by Allah! I love that Allah should forgive me."
He not only resumed his support for Miṣṭaḥ, but also swore never to withhold it again.

This verse is an insightful call for believers: forgive, not because of others, but because you yourself are in need of Allah’s forgiveness.

Let it echo in our hearts.
“Do you not love that Allah should forgive you?”

When a friend lets you down...
You trusted them. They betrayed it. The pain sits quietly, but deeply. And just as you begin to build a wall, this verse appears — not to deny your hurt, but to gently ask: Wouldn’t you want Allah to forgive you too, when you slip?

When a relative cross a line…
Family bonds are sacred, but also complex. Harsh words, passive insults, or old wounds often haunt these ties. Instead of revenge or cold silence, the verse nudges your heart: Let go, for the One who watches all will repay all.

When a colleague gossips behind your back...
You did nothing to deserve it, yet your name is dragged unfairly. You have a chance to repay in kind — but then you remember: forgiveness isn’t weakness. It’s divine strength. “Do you not love that Allah should forgive you?”

When your child disappoints you…
They failed expectations, broke rules, maybe even lied. Your anger is real. But so is your love. And suddenly, you see a glimpse of how Allah sees you — failing, stumbling, yet always given another chance.

When you recall your own past mistakes…
How many times have you needed Allah’s forgiveness? And how freely did you hope He’d overlook your flaws? That same hope becomes a reason to forgive others, because you desire Allah’s mercy.

Remember ʿAbdullāh ibn al-Mubārak, as narrated in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, says: “This is the most hopeful verse in the Book of Allah.”

If that doesn't soften the heart, what will?

So—forgive when you are able, pardon when you are sought, overlook when you're hurt, whenever there's a way to do so.

Take comfort and strength in what the All-Forgiving, All-Merciful has offered you as a reason:
﴿ أَلَا تُحِبُّونَ أَن يَغْفِرَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ ﴾
"Would you not love that Allah should forgive you?"

Let that be enough to heal your wound… and earn His pardon.

Divine Mercy Mirrors Human Dealings

One of the most profound realities the Qur’ān and Sunnah teach us is that Allah’s mercy, forgiveness, and favour are often linked with how we extend those same qualities to His creation. It is a divine sunnah, a pattern written into the spiritual laws of the universe. Here are some examples.

Mercy for the Merciful

The Prophet ﷺ said:

«الرَّاحِمُونَ يَرْحَمُهُمُ الرَّحْمَٰنُ، ارْحَمُوا مَن فِي الْأَرْضِ يَرْحَمْكُم مَّن فِي السَّمَاءِ»
“The merciful are shown mercy by the Most Merciful. Be merciful to those on the earth, and the One above the heavens will have mercy upon you.”
(Narrated by Abū Dāwūd and al-Tirmidhī)

This hadith captures a spiritual equation: mercy begets mercy. If you desire Allah’s compassion, begin with His creation.

Gratitude to People = Gratitude to Allah

In another narration, the Prophet ﷺ states:

«لا يَشْكُرُ اللَّهَ مَنْ لا يَشْكُرُ النَّاسَ»
“He who does not thank people has not truly thanked Allah.”
(Narrated by Aḥmad, Abū Dāwūd, and al-Bukhārī in al-Adab al-Mufrad)

Imām al-Khaṭṭābī interprets it in two ways: firstly, that a person who makes a habit of ignoring or belittling the favours of others is likely to do the same with Allah’s blessings. Secondly, that Allah does not accept the gratitude of someone who fails to acknowledge and appreciate the kindness of fellow human beings.

Ibn al-ʿArabī adds that the variations in the narration all point to a core message: showing gratitude to people is directly tied to true gratitude to Allah. It is a divine command and a condition for receiving continued blessings.

The Rahim (Womb) and the Rahman

Allah ﷻ draws a direct connection between His own Name ar-Raḥmān and the bond of raḥim (the womb/family ties): Allah says in a hadith qudsi :

«أنا اللهُ وأنا الرَّحمن، خلقتُ الرَّحِمَ وشققتُ لها من اسمي، فمَن وصلها وصلتُه، ومَن قطعها بتَتُّه»
“I am Allah, and I am ar-Raḥmān. I created the raḥim (ties of kinship), and derived its name from My Name. Whoever maintains it, I maintain him, and whoever cuts it off, I cut him off.”
(Narrated by al-Tirmidhī and Abū Dāwūd)

How you uphold human bonds determines how your bond with the Divine is sustained.

In all these narrations, we see a repeated divine pattern:

• Be merciful, and mercy will reach you.
• Be grateful to others, and Allah will appreciate you.
• Keep family ties, and Allah will keep His support with you.

When we internalise this sunnah of Allah, we begin to realise: our treatment of people is not separate from our relationship with Him—it is a direct reflection of it.

So ask yourself:
Do you want mercy? Be merciful.
Do you long for divine recognition? Honour people.
Do you seek nearness to Allah? Hold close the ties He holds dear.

Do you want Allah to forgive you? Forgive others.

 ﴾أَلَا تُحِبُّونَ أَن يَغْفِرَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ﴿ 

"Would you not love that Allah should forgive you?"