Verse 100
The Women • madinah
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Important Words:
عفوا (Effacer of sins) is derived from عفا meaning, it was or became effaced, erased or obliterated; it perished or came to naught or came to an end. They say عفت الریح الدار i.e. the wind effaced the traces of the house. سلوا الله العافیة means, ask ye of God the effacement of your sins or pray for forgiveness. The word عفا also means, it was or became much in quantity or many in number. An Arab would say اعفیت شعر البعیر i.e. I left the hair of the camel to become abundant and long. عفوا which is one of the attributes of God, means, One Who forgives much; the Very Forgiving; the Effacer of sins (Lane & Aqrab). See also 2:110, 188, 220, 238; 3:135.
Commentary:
The words, Allah will efface their sins, mean not only that Allah will forgive them their weaknesses but that He will also put an end to their hardships by giving victory to Muslims and making them masters of those places where the weak among them were being oppressed and tormented by cruel disbelievers.
The expression عسی (maybe) does not indicate doubt on the part of God but is used to keep the believers, referred to here, in a state of suspense—between hope and fear—so that they may not become lax in prayer and good deeds. The expression is designed to hold out hope without creating a sense of security or a state of complete complacency.
The particle ‘asa does not indicate doubt on the part of God but is used to keep the believers referred to here in a state of suspense—between hope and fear—so that they may not become lax in Prayer and good deeds. The expression is designed to hold out hope without creating a false sense of security or a state of complacency.