Knowing Allah Almighty through His Most Beautiful Names is one of the things that strengthens faith and increases certainty. The true essence of faith is for a servant to know the Lord in whom he believes and to strive to learn about Him through His Names and Attributes. The deeper one’s knowledge of his Lord, the stronger his faith becomes. Ibn Al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said: ”Knowledge of Allah’s Most Beautiful Names is the foundation of all knowledge. For all that is known besides Him is either His creation or His command: knowledge of what He has brought into existence, or knowledge of what He has legislated. The source of both creation and command lies in His Most Beautiful Names, and they are connected to them as an effect is connected to its cause. Enumerating the Most Beautiful Names is the foundation for enumerating all knowledge, for all known things arise from them and are connected to them.” In this article, we will explore the meanings of Names of Allah: The All-Forgiving and the Most Appreciative.
Allah’s Name: The All-Forgiving
الْغَفُورُ
The All-Forgiving is a great and beloved Name that brings comfort to the hearts. It is mentioned in the Holy Quran alongside the names Al-Ghaffār, Al-Ghāfir, and their other derivatives 235 times—highlighting its importance, and Allah’s grace, Exalted is He, in forgiving the sins of sinners and the disobedience of those who transgress. He is the One who manifests what is beautiful, conceals what is ugly in this world, and overlooks its punishment in the Hereafter. He is the One who conceals faults and sins, no matter how great the sin, how immense the arrogance, or how often the servant errs. Whoever wishes to return to Allah will find the door of forgiveness open as long as they are alive and sincere in their repentance.
The Qur’an mentions the pairing of mercy and forgiveness from Allah, for instance; in Surah Al-Kahf, Ayah 58: ”And your Lord is the Forgiving, full of mercy. If He were to impose blame upon them for what they earned, He would have hastened for them the punishment.” (وَرَبُّكَ الْغَفُورُ ذُو الرَّحْمَةِ ۖ لَوْ يُؤَاخِذُهُم بِمَا كَسَبُوا لَعَجَّلَ لَهُمُ الْعَذَابَ). Allah, Exalted is He, paired also forgiveness with forbearance, saying: ”And Allah is Forgiving and Forbearing.” (وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ حَلِيمٌ) [Surah Al-Baqarah:255]. This means that He is Forgiving—concealing sins and overlooking them—and Forbearing, granting the wrongdoers respite and not punishing them immediately, so that they may repent and be forgiven.
No matter how great the sins of a servant may be, Allah’s forgiveness is greater than them. On the authority of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) who said:
”I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say, ”Allah the Almighty has said: ‘O Son of Adam, as long as you invoke Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O Son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and you then asked forgiveness from Me, I would forgive you. O Son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the Earth, and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as it [too].” [At-Tirmidhi].
Therefore, a servant should frequently seek forgiveness and ask Allah for concealment of faults and His mercy.
Allah’s Name: The Most Appreciative
الشَّكُورُ
The name of Allah, Ash-Shakūr (The Most Appreciative), appears in four places in the Qur’an. For instance, it was mentioned in Surah Ash-Shurah:23: ”And whoever commits a good deed – We will increase for him good therein. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Appreciative.” (وَمَن يَقْتَرِفْ حَسَنَةً نَّزِدْ لَهُ فِيهَا حُسْنًا ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ شَكُورٌ). Gratitude from Allah, Exalted is He, is a reward, a gift, and multiplied recompense. He accepts even small acts of worship and grants abundant rewards for them. Allah forgives the servant’s shortcomings and rewards him for his effort in striving to perform acts of obedience. Moreover, He multiplies the reward for him. Therefore, after learning about Allah’s Name, The Most Appreciative, a person should strive to increase their good deeds and acts of worship. It is He accepts even the smallest acts of His servants and multiplies their rewards. His appreciation of their deeds includes forgiving their shortcomings and rewarding their effort.
In conclusion, knowing Allah as The All-Forgiving and The Most Appreciative teaches us about His perfect mercy and generosity. He forgives sins, overlooks shortcomings, and rewards even the smallest acts of obedience. Reflecting on these Beautiful Names strengthens our faith, encourages us to strive in worship, and fills our hearts with hope in His forgiveness and boundless grace.
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