2. Surah al-Baqara, Medina 87

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

فَتَلَقَّى آدَمُ مِن رَّبِّهِ كَلِمَاتٍ فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ...

2: 37. Then learnt Adam from his Lord words of inspiration, and his Lord turned toward him;

... إِنَّهُ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ ﴿٣٧﴾

for He is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.

Transliteration Fa talaqqa_ a_damu mir rabbihi kalima_tin fa ta_ba 'alaih(i), innahu_ huwat tawwa_bur rahim(u).

Other Versions:

2: 37

Asad Thereupon Adam received words [of guidance] from his Sustainer, and He accepted his repentance: for, verily, He alone is the Acceptor of Repentance, the Dispenser of Grace.

Pickthall Then Adam received from his Lord words (of revelation), and He relented toward him. Lo! He is the Relenting, the Merciful.

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Ali’s comments:

C55. As "names" in verse 31 above is used for the "nature of things", so "words" here mean "inspiration" "spiritual knowledge".

The Arabic word used for "learn" here implies some effort on his part to which Allah's Grace responded.

The Arabic word for "Repentance" (Tawbah) means "turning" and the intensive word (tawwwab) for Allah's forgiveness (Oft-Returning" or "Ever-Returning") is from the same root.

For repentance, three things are necessary:

- the sinner must acknowledge his wrong;

- he must give it up; and

- he must resolve to eschew it for the future.

Man's nature is weak, and he may have to return again and again for mercy. So long as he does it sincerely, Allah is Oft-returning, Most Merciful. For His grace helps out the sinner's shortcomings.