| An-Nahl (The Bees): (119) Then, indeed, your Lord...

Verse Analysis

It is understood that the purpose here is to clarify that attributing falsehoods to God and opposing God's command does not prevent them from repenting and attaining forgiveness and mercy.

The term "evil" (السوء) encompasses everything that is inappropriate, including disbelief (الكفر) and sins (المعاصي).

Anyone who commits evil does so out of ignorance (الجهالة):

1. Regarding Disbelief: No one willingly accepts disbelief if they know it is disbelief. They would not choose or approve of that doctrine unless they believed it to be true and authentic.
2. Regarding Sin: A sin is not committed unless desire (الشهوة) overwhelms intellect (العقل) and knowledge.

Thus, it is established that everyone who commits evil does so because of ignorance.

The Almighty stated: "We have indeed intensified the warning for those disbelievers who permit and forbid based on mere whim and fabrication against God."

Then, after that, He says: "Then, indeed, your Lord, for those who committed evil due to ignorance, then repented afterward..."

• "Afterward" (من بعدها): This means after that specific evil deed.
• Another view: It means after that state of ignorance.

"...then indeed, after repenting from those sins, they reformed (أصلحوا)," meaning they believed, obeyed God, and performed righteous deeds.

The phrase "Then, indeed, your Lord, after that" (ثم إن ربك من بعدها) is repeated for emphasis.

Then He said: "is Forgiving, Merciful" (لغفور رحيم).

The meaning is: He is Forgiving and Merciful regarding that evil which originated from them due to ignorance.

The essence of the discussion is that even if a person engaged in disbelief and sins for a very long time, if they repent from it, believe, and perform righteous deeds, God is Forgiving and Merciful; He accepts their repentance and saves them from punishment.

Verses 120–123

(Note: The excerpt ends here, transitioning to the next section concerning the religion of Abraham.)