What does the Quran say about forgiveness?
The Qur’an addresses forgiveness in two directions. On being forgiven, it states that God forgives all sins and instructs those who have transgressed against themselves not to despair Qur’an 39:53, with repentance the condition Qur’an 4:110. On forgiving others, it treats pardon as the higher of two lawful options Qur’an 42:40, and in one passage ties the two together directly: would you not like that God should forgive you Qur’an 24:22.
Does the Qur’an say God forgives every sin?
Qur’an 39:53 is the most direct statement: addressed to those who have transgressed against themselves, it instructs them not to despair of God’s mercy and states that God forgives all sins. The condition attached elsewhere is turning back. Qur’an 4:110 says that whoever does a wrong or wrongs himself and then seeks God’s forgiveness will find God forgiving and merciful. Qur’an 2:222 states that God loves those who are constantly repentant. The Qur’an also treats despair itself as an error rather than as humility — Qur’an 12:87 describes despairing of relief from God as the condition of those who reject Him.
What does the Qur’an mean by repentance?
More than an apology. Qur’an 66:8 calls for tawbatan nasuha — sincere repentance — and the Qur’an attaches consequences to it: Qur’an 25:70 says that for those who repent, believe and do righteous work, God will replace their evil deeds with good ones. It also sets a boundary. Qur’an 4:17 describes the repentance God accepts as that of those who do wrong in ignorance and then repent soon after. Qur’an 4:18 states that it is not for those who continue in wrongdoing until death is upon one of them and he then says "now I repent". Repentance is presented as something done while there is still a life to change.
Does the Qur’an require forgiving other people?
It permits proportionate response and then argues for something else. Qur’an 42:40 states that the recompense for an injury is an injury like it — and then, in the same verse, that whoever pardons and makes reconciliation will have his reward with God. Qur’an 3:134 describes those God loves as including people who restrain anger and pardon others. Qur’an 7:199 instructs taking what is given freely, enjoining what is good, and turning away from the ignorant. The Qur’an does not describe pardon as weakness or as the only lawful course. It presents it as the better of two permitted options.
Is there a verse linking forgiving others to being forgiven?
Yes, and it is unusually pointed. Qur’an 24:22 addresses those who had sworn not to give to their relatives, the needy and the emigrants, instructing that they should pardon and overlook — and then asks: would you not like that God should forgive you? The verse closes by naming God as forgiving and merciful, having just made forgiveness of others the frame for asking it of Him.
What does the Qur’an say about responding to hostility?
Qur’an 41:34 states that good and evil are not equal, instructs repelling evil with what is better, and says that the one between whom and you there is enmity will become as though he were a devoted friend. The verse that follows notes that this is not granted except to those who are patient, and to those of great fortune Qur’an 41:35 — the Qur’an presents this response as difficult rather than as a natural default.
Common questions
- What is the most hopeful verse in the Qur’an about forgiveness?
- Qur’an 39:53 is the one most often cited — addressed to those who have transgressed against themselves, telling them not to despair of God’s mercy, and stating that God forgives all sins.
- Is there a sin the Qur’an says cannot be forgiven?
- The Qur’an describes repentance as unaccepted when it comes only at the point of death Qur’an 4:18. Beyond that, Qur’an 39:53 states that God forgives all sins for those who turn to Him.
- Does the Qur’an say you must forgive someone who wronged you?
- It permits a proportionate response, then states that whoever pardons and reconciles has his reward with God Qur’an 42:40. Pardon is presented as the better option rather than the only one, and Qur’an 24:22 links it to seeking forgiveness for yourself.
Sources cited on this page
Every claim above is traceable. Qur’an references open with several translations side by side, since translations differ. Where a point is not settled by the Qur’an itself, the narration is named so you can see what it rests on.
The Surahs this page draws on
Every verse quoted above comes from one of these chapters. Each is set out in full — why it was revealed, and what it teaches.