Surah Al-Baqarah 2:37
سُورَةُ البَقَرَةِ · Medinan · Verse 37 of 286
فَتَلَقَّىٰٓ ءَادَمُ مِن رَّبِّهِۦ كَلِمَٰتٍۢ فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلتَّوَّابُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
Translation
Then Adam received some words from his Lord and He accepted his repentance: He is the Ever Relenting, the Most Merciful.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
'Then Adam received words from his Lord, and He accepted his repentance. Indeed, He is the Accepter of repentance, the Merciful.' al-Saadi and Ibn Kathir note the turning point, after the fall, 'God taught Adam words' by which to return, and immediately 'accepted his repentance': the very first human story ends not in the sin but in the return. Ask yourself: this is the pattern the whole human drama is built on, not sinless perfection, but falling and returning, with God Himself teaching the way back. The door of repentance was opened the instant it was needed. It utterly refuses the despair that says 'I've fallen too far'. Adam, who fell in Paradise itself, was received back, and God is named here 'the Accepter of repentance'. Whatever my slip, the same door is open, and the same God waits to accept. Am I letting shame keep me from a return that God has already made ready, even teaching me the words?
Grounded in classical tafsir: al-Saadi, Ibn Kathir, Ibn Ashur.
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:37 is discussed in 9 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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