Q: Allah (Exalted be He) says: 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 He also says: 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 these two Ayahs? What is meant by His Saying: He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He wills ?
A: There is no conflict between them. The first Ayah speaks about whoever dies while embracing Shirk (associating others in worship with Allah) without observing Tawbah (repentance); in this case, they will not be forgiven and will be in Hell eternally.