Surah Al-Isra — Verse 25

Word Meanings:

• Nufūsikum (نُفُوسِكُمْ): Your inner selves, hearts, and hidden intentions.
• Ṣāliḥīn (صَالِحِينَ): Righteous, upright, those whose intentions and deeds are sound and pleasing to Allah.
• Awwābīn (الأَوَّابِينَ): Those who constantly turn back to Allah in repentance, returning to Him again and again after every slip or shortcoming.

Tafsir (Explanation):

O people, your Lord knows perfectly well what lies hidden within your hearts and souls—every intention, every thought, every secret desire, whether good or bad. Nothing is concealed from His knowledge, not even the faintest whisper of your inner being.

If your intentions are sincere and your aims are righteous—if you truly desire to please Allah, to fulfill your duties toward Him and toward your parents, and to walk the path of goodness—then know that Allah’s mercy is vast beyond measure. Even if you have fallen short in the past, even if you have made mistakes or neglected some obligations, do not despair. For Allah is ever-forgiving to those who turn back to Him in sincere repentance.

The verse specifically highlights the matter of kindness and dutifulness to parents, which was discussed in the preceding verses. Some believers may have failed in this duty before embracing the truth or before fully understanding its importance. To them, and to all who repent, Allah says: if your hearts are now set on righteousness, and you return to Him with genuine remorse, He will forgive you completely.

Indeed, Allah’s forgiveness is not limited to one moment or one sin. He is the Forgiving Lord for the *awwābīn*—those who make repentance their habit, who turn to Him not just once but repeatedly, every time they stumble. Such people are beloved to Allah, and His mercy embraces them no matter how many times they fall, as long as they keep getting up and returning to Him.

This is a beautiful and comforting promise: the door of repentance is always open, and the mercy of Allah is always near. So never let Shaytan make you despair of Allah’s forgiveness, no matter what you have done in the past. What matters is the state of your heart today—if it is sincere, pure, and turning toward your Lord, then His forgiveness is guaranteed.

Let this verse fill your heart with hope and motivate you to constantly renew your repentance. Be among the *awwābīn*, those who make turning back to Allah their lifelong habit. For such people, Allah has promised His abundant forgiveness and His eternal pleasure. What greater gift could a servant hope for than the love and forgiveness of their Creator?