The Qur'anic reader `AbdulRahman AlShithri from Riyadh, asks how to reconcile between the two following Ayahs (Qur'anic verses): Verily, Allâh forgives not that partners should be set up with Him (in worship), but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He wills and Allah's statement: And verily, I am indeed forgiving to him who repents, believes (in My Oneness, and associates none in worship with Me) and does righteous good deeds, and then remains constant in doing them, (till his death). ? Is there any conflict between them?
A : There is no conflict between the two Ayahs, because the first Ayah was revealed concerning those who died in the state of Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) and did not repent. Allah will not forgive those people and they will enter Hell, as Allah (may He be Praised) states: Verily, whosoever sets up partners (in worship) with Allâh, then Allâh has forbidden Paradise to him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrongdoers) there are no helpers. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) states: But if they had joined in worship others with Allâh, all that they used to do would have been of no benefit to them. There are many Ayahs to this effect.
However, the Second Ayah in which Allah (may He be Praised) states: And verily, I am indeed forgiving to him who repents, believes (in My Oneness, and associates none in worship with Me) and does righteous good deeds, and then remains constant in doing them, (till his death). was revealed regarding those who repent. Similarly, the Ayah that reads: Say: "O 'Ibâdî (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allâh: verily, Allâh forgives all sins. Truly He is OftForgiving, Most Merciful. was also revealed concerning those who repent, according to the consensus of scholars. Allah is the Grantor of success!