Surah An-Nasr 110:3
سُورَةُ النَّصۡرِ · Medinan · Verse 3 of 3
فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَٱسْتَغْفِرْهُ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ تَوَّابًۢا
Translation
celebrate the praise of your Lord and ask His forgiveness: He is always ready to accept repentance.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This verse, a profound instruction from Allah to His Prophet, comes at a pivotal moment. The context tells us that after the great victory and the entry of people into Islam in droves, the Prophet (peace be upon him) is instructed to prepare for his ultimate return to Allah. It is a divine message of guidance, gratitude, and humility.
Glorify and Praise
The verse begins with فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ (So glorify your Lord with His praise). The Arabic word *tasbih* (تَسْبِيحْ), explained by al-Razi, comes from a root that signifies moving quickly and gracefully, while keeping oneself pure. In the context of Allah, it means declaring Him free from every imperfection, flaw, or anything that doesn't befit His majesty. It's an act of profound reverence.
Coupled with *tasbih* is *hamd* (حَمْدِ), which means praise, specifically for Allah's perfect attributes and countless blessings. The particle *bi* (ب) in *bi-Hamdi Rabbika* (بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ) subtly shifts the meaning. Al-Razi offers several interpretations, including "glorify Him *through* praising Him," suggesting that praise is a path to glorification, or "glorify Him *by* His grace and guidance," reminding us that even our acts of worship are by His facilitation. The choice of `Rabbik` (Your Lord), rather than Allah, emphasizes His role as Nurturer, Sustainer, and Guide, especially fitting for this personal instruction to the Prophet.
Seek Forgiveness
The command continues with وَٱسْتَغْفِرْهُ (and seek His forgiveness). For an everyday reader, this might seem puzzling: why would a Prophet, who is divinely protected from sin, need to seek forgiveness? Scholars like al-Razi and al-Zamakhshari offer beautiful insights. They explain that seeking forgiveness, *istighfar*, is not necessarily for sins, but a profound act of humility and an acknowledgment that even the greatest acts of worship might fall short of Allah's immense generosity and majesty.
It is also a model for the entire Muslim community. If the Prophet (peace be upon him) continually sought forgiveness, how much more should we, who are prone to shortcomings? It can be a means of atoning for "leaving what is better" (ترك الأفضل), choosing a good deed when a better one was available, or for the Prophet's community's sins. As al-Zamakhshari notes, it combines obedience with guarding against missteps, making it a complete act of devotion.
He is the Oft-Returning
The verse concludes with إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ تَوَّابًۢا (Indeed, He is the Accepter of repentance). The particle *inna* (إنّ) emphasizes certainty, and *kana* (كَانَ), meaning "was," here signifies Allah's timeless and inherent attribute, not just something of the past. Allah has always been and will always be *Tawwab*.
Ibn Ashur and al-Razi highlight the choice of `Tawwab` (تَوَّابًۢا), an intensive form meaning "Oft-Returning" or "Oft-Accepting repentance," over `Ghaffar` (Oft-Forgiving). This choice carries a subtle beauty. For the Prophet, it might imply that Allah accepts his continuous turning in devotion, highlighting Allah's role in facilitating repentance rather than implying any sin needing direct "forgiveness." For us, it serves as a powerful reassurance: Allah repeatedly accepts repentance, so long as we turn to Him sincerely. It reminds us that His door of mercy is always open, inviting us to frequently return to Him in glorification, praise, and seeking forgiveness.
Sources: al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jalalayn, Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah An-Nasr 110:3 is discussed in 5 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
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