At-Tawwab (التواب)
Definition and Meaning
At-Tawwab (التواب), one of the ninety-nine names or attributes of God in Islam, literally translates to “One who turns frequently,” hence “the Relenting.” This name emphasizes God’s infinite capacity for forgiveness and readiness to accept repentance from His servants.
Etymology
The Arabic term At-Tawwab (التواب) derives from the root word ت و ب (t-w-b), which means “to turn, to repent.” Essentially, the name indicates a divine attribute of God being One who constantly turns towards those who seek His forgiveness.
Turkish Translation
In Turkish, At-Tawwab is translated as “Tevvab”.
Occurrences in the Qur’an
The name At-Tawwab is mentioned multiple times in the Qur’an, both with and without the definite article.
With the Definite Article:
- Surah Al-Baqarah (2:35) - “And words of prayer learned Adam from his Lord: and God relented towards him; verily, He is the Relenting, the Merciful.”
- Surah Al-Baqarah (2:51) - “And remember when Moses said to his people: ‘O my people! verily ye have sinned to your own hurt, by your taking to yourself the calf to worship it: Be turned then to your Creator, and slay the guilty among you; this will be best for you with your Creator.’ So he relented towards you: verily He is the Relenting, the Merciful.”
- Surah At-Tawbah (9:105) - “But We have also turned in Mercy unto the three who were left behind…”
- Surah At-Tawbah (9:119) - “He has also turned in Mercy unto the three who were left behind, so that the earth, spacious as it is, became too strait for them; and their souls became so straitened within them, that there was no refuge from God but unto Himself. Then was He turned to them that they might turn to Him. Verily, God is He that turneth, the Merciful.”
Without the Definite Article:
- Surah An-Nur (24:10) - Describes God as ever ready to turn in forgiveness to man, in general, and to the Muslim, in particular.
- Surah Al-Hujurat (49:12) - Similarly depicts God’s attribute of frequently turning in mercy towards those who repent.
Historical Contexts
In these passages, God’s relenting mercy is illustrated through historical examples:
- Adam: After disobeying God, Adam repented, and God relented towards him (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:35).
- Jews and the Golden Calf: After worshipping the golden calf, the Jews repented and were forgiven by God (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:51).
- Three Men and the Expedition to Tabuk: The three men who did not accompany Prophet Muhammad in the expedition to Tabuk experienced God’s mercy after a period of penance (Surah At-Tawbah 9:105; 119).
Implications for Believers
The name At-Tawwab serves as a reminder to Muslims of God’s enduring mercy and the importance of sincere repentance. It assures believers that no matter the severity of their wrongdoings, God is always prepared to accept those who genuinely seek His forgiveness.
Further Study
- “The Ninety-Nine Beautiful Names of God” by Ghazzali – A comprehensive study on the divine names in Islam.
- “The Essential Quran” by Thomas Cleary – An accessible translation with contextual notes.
- “Al-Ghazali on the Ninety-nine Beautiful Names of God” by David B. Burrell – Detailed exploration of each name and its theological implications.
Takeaways
- At-Tawwab emphasizes God’s infinite capacity to forgive.
- The name encourages Muslims to consistently seek God’s forgiveness.
- Multiple Qur’anic passages illustrate this attribute through historical narratives.
Conclusion
At-Tawwab is a profound and comforting attribute of God in Islam, reinforcing the belief in God’s boundless mercy and readiness to accept sincere repentance. It serves as a reminder for believers to frequently turn towards God in their times of need and errors, assured of His infinite compassion and forgiveness.
For something ### related to “At-Tawwab,” you could also look at the principles of Tawbah (repentance) in Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh), which delves deeper into the processes and requirements of seeking forgiveness.
