Their Lord gives them the good news of His mercy and good pleasure and Gardens where they will enjoy everlasting delight. (Surat at-Tawba, 21) Allah Is Endlessly Generous and Accepts Repentance All people are fallible, forgetful, misjudge situations, and make mistakes. They may not think carefully enough about many things, or may make wrong decisions and then engage in wrong actions. For this reason, Allah's endless mercy and compassion are great blessings. His eternal mercy provides people the chance to repent and reform themselves every time they make a mistake. Those who sincerely desire forgiveness can hope that Allah will grant their prayer, for "Tell My servants that I am the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Merciful" (Surat al-Hijr, 49). In fact, He reveals His readiness to forgive: Anyone who does evil or wrongs himself [or herself] and then asks Allah's forgiveness will find Him Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Surat an-Nisa, 110) Islam teaches that no one is perfect, for each person is weak and prone to sin and error. But since Allah is generous and forgiving, there is no need for despair over an intentional or an unintentional error, for He will accept the repentance of all who take refuge in Allah and do their best not to commit that mistake again. Of course, believers try hard to avoid all mistakes and sins and to stay within the limitations Allah has set for them. Nevertheless, they might make mistakes and sins. To repent and ask for forgiveness after such a behavior is a very favorable characteristic of Muslims. His names At-Tawwab (The Acceptor of Repentance), Al-Ghaffar (The Forgiving), and Ar-Rahman (The All-Merciful) are manifested in penitent believers who repent their mistakes and strive to do better: When those who believe in Our Signs come to you, say: "Peace be upon you." Allah has made mercy incumbent upon Himself. If anyone among you does evil out of ignorance and then repents and puts things right, He is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Surat al-An'am, 54)
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