What is the difference between forgiveness (maghfirah) and pardon (ʿafw)? Does a forgiven sin remain recorded in the scroll (ṣaḥīfah) and will one be held accountable for it? Is there a prophetic hadith that confirms this? And do good deeds and frequent seeking of forgiveness erase sins?
Scholars have differed on which is more profound: al-afw (forgiveness/pardoning) or al-maghfirah (seeking forgiveness/covering of sins), with two opinions:
The first opinion: Al-afw is more profound than al-maghfirah, because al-afw is the erasure of sin from records and hearts, whereas al-maghfirah is the concealment of sin.
The second opinion: Al-maghfirah is more profound than al-afw, because it includes the concealment of sin, the removal of punishment, and the attainment of reward, whereas al-afw entails the removal of blame and censure but does not necessarily entail the attainment of reward. Moreover, one who pardons (al-afiy) may pardon without accepting the one he pardoned. The preponderant view is that al-maghfirah is more profound due to the benevolence and generosity it encompasses.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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