Answering Questions Through The Holy Qur'an: Are intentional sins forgiven?

Are intentional sins forgiven?

4:92 And it is not for a believer that he kills a believer except by mistake. And whoever killed a believer by mistake, then freeing of a believing slave and blood money (is to be) paid to his family unless that they remit (it as) charity. But if (he) was from a people hostile to you and he was a believer, then freeing of a believing slave. And if (he) was from a people (with whom) is a treaty between you and between them, then the blood money is to be paid to his family, and freeing of a believing slave. And whoever does not find, then fasting for two months consecutively, (seeking) repentance from Allah, and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. 4:93 And whoever kills (yaqtul) a believer intentionally (muta’ammidan), then his recompense is Hell, abiding in it forever; and Allah's wrath will fall on him and He (will) curse him and He has prepared for him a great punishment.

(The Verses of the Qur’an are not mutually exclusive, but complement each other. Verse 4:93 might be complemented by Verse 85:10 “Indeed, those who persecuted the believing men and the believing women, then they did not repent, then for them is the punishment of Hell, and for them is the punishment of the Burning Fire”)(The root of “yaqtul” (kills) is “Qaf-Ta-Lam”, and it means “to kill, put to death, be accused, slay / murder / kill / slaughter, attempt to kill, render person like to one killed, to wage war / combat / battle, contend / fight, etc.”)(Allah knows best)

85:10 Indeed, those who persecuted (fatanu) the believing men and the believing women, then they did not repent, then for them is the punishment of Hell, and for them is the punishment of the Burning Fire.

(According to some of the meanings of “Fa-Ta-Nun” (“persecuted”), it may also imply “slaughter” and “war” against the believers, and it is forgiven if they repent (85:10))(The root of “fatanu” (persecuted) is “Fa-Ta-Nun”, and it means “to try or prove, persecute, burn, assay, put into affliction, distress and hardship, slaughter, cause to err, mislead, punish; fitnatun – persecution, trial, probation, burning, war, hardship, punishment, burning with fire, etc.”)(The root of “muta’ammidan” (intentionally) is “Ayn-Miim-Dal”, and it means “to intend, support, resolve, aim, direct, propose, commit (a sin intentionally); muta’ammidan: on purpose, intentionally, etc.”)(Allah knows best)

5:33 Only the recompense for those who wage war (yuharibuna) (against) Allah and His Messenger and strive in the earth spreading corruption is that they be killed or they be crucified or their hands and their feet of opposite sides be cut off or they be exiled from the land. That is for them disgrace in the world, and for them in the Hereafter is a great punishment. 5:34 Except those who repent before you overpower them, then know that Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

(The Verse does not explicitly say if it is intentional or not, but it says “war”; in war, people intentionally kill each other. The Verse suggests that those who wage war might be forgiven)(The root of “yuharibu” (wage war) is “Ha-Ra-Ba”, and it means “war / battle / conflict; excite or provoke or stir up war, etc.”)(Allah knows best)

2:190 And fight (waqatilu) in the way of Allah those who fight you (yuqatilunakum), and do not transgress. Indeed, Allah does not like the transgressors. 2:191 And kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from wherever they drove you out, and oppression is worse than killing. And do not fight them near Al-Masjid Al-Haraam until they fight you (yuqatilukum) there. Then if they fight you (qatalukum), then kill them (fa-uq’tuluhum). Such is the reward of the disbelievers. 2:192 Then if they cease, then indeed, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. 2:193 And fight against them (waqatiluhum) until there is no oppression, and the religion becomes for Allah Then if they cease, then let there be no hostility (‘ud’wana) except against the oppressors.

(According to the context, if they cease “killing”, then God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (2:192). It is interpreted that they intentionally killed)(The root of “’ud’wana” (hostility) is “Ayn-Dal-Waw”, and it means “to pass by, overlook, transgress, turn aside; adwun – wickedly, unjustly, spitefully, wrongfully; aduwatun – enmity; udwan – hostility, injustice; aduwwan – enemy, etc.”)(Allah knows best)

4:116 Indeed, Allah does not forgive to associate partners with Him, but He forgives other than that for whom He wills. And whoever associates partners with Allah, then surely he lost the way, straying far away.

(One interpretation is that God does not forgive association if people did not repent and asked forgiveness before they died. This interpretation is supported by Verse 4:153, in which association was intentional, because they did it after clear proofs came to them. Such intentional association was forgiven (4:153))(See also the link below “Is shirk forgivable?”)(Killing a believer intentionally is “other” than association, so, according to Verse 4:116, God forgives other than association; and according to Verse 39:53 “Allah forgives all sins”; so, one interpretation is that it might be forgiven if people repented and asked forgiveness before they die)(The Verses of the Qur’an complement each other, rather than being mutually exclusive)(Allah knows best)

4:153 The People of the Book ask you to bring down to them a book from the heaven. Indeed, they had asked Moses even greater than that for they said, "Show us Allah manifestly," so the thunderbolt struck them for their wrongdoing. Then they took the calf after clear proofs came to them, then We forgave them for that. And We gave Moses a clear authority.

(Taking the calf, after clear proofs came to them, was forgiven)(Allah knows best)

7:152 Indeed, those who took the calf, will reach them the wrath from their Lord, and humiliation in the life of the world. And thus We recompense the ones who invent. 7:153 And those who do evil deeds then repented after that and believed, indeed, after that your Lord is surely Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

12:24 And certainly she did desire him, and he would have desired her, if he had not seen the proof of his Lord. Thus, that We might avert from him evil and immorality. Indeed, he was of Our sincere slaves. … 12:33 He said, "My Lord, the prison is dearer to me than that to which they invite me. And unless You turn away their plot from me, I might incline towards them and be of the ignorant (l-jahilina)."

(According to Verse 12:24, Joseph did not desire her, because he saw the proof of his Lord, in order to be averted from evil and immorality. So, if Joseph had committed it, it would have been intentional. According to Verse 12:33, even if it had been intentional, he would have been of the ignorant. So, one interpretation is that “in ignorance” does not imply to be “unintentional”)(Allah knows best)

12:9 Kill Joseph or cast him to a land so that the face of your father will be free for you, and after that you will be a righteous people." ... 12:89 He said, "Do you know what you did with Joseph and his brother when you were ignorant (jahiluna)?"

(Before they did something to Joseph, they knew that they were not righteous (12:9), but they are called “ignorant”. So, one interpretation is that “in ignorance” does not imply to be “unintentional”)(According to some definitions of “ignorant” in the dictionary, “in ignorance” could not imply to be “unintentional” (see last four definitions): the root of “jahiluna” (ignorant) is “Jiim-ha-Lam”, and it means “to be ignorant, not know of a thing, to be silly or foolish, pretend ignorance, feign ignorance, display wrong conduct, do a thing in a manner different from that in which it ought to be done, etc.”)(Allah knows best)

27:54 And Lot, when he said to his people, "Do you commit immorality while you see? 27:55 Why do you approach men with lust instead of women? Nay, you are an ignorant people."

(Verses 27:54-55 also confirm that “ignorance” might not be “unintentional”, because Verse 27:54 says “while you see”)(Allah knows best)

7:19 And O Adam, dwell, you and your wife, in the Garden, and you both eat from wherever you both wish, but do not approach this tree, lest you both be among the wrongdoers." … 20:121 Then they both ate of it, so their shame became apparent to them, and they began to fasten over themselves from the leaves of Paradise. And Adam disobeyed his Lord and erred. 20:122 Then his Lord chose him, and turned to him and guided.

(Adam erred knowing the consequences. After that, he was forgiven (20:122))(Allah knows best)

7:20 Then Satan whispered to both of them to make apparent to both of them that which was concealed to both of them of their shame. And he said, "Did not Your Lord forbid you both this tree, except that you two become Angels or you two become of the immortals." … 7:22 So he made both of them fall by deception. Then when they both tasted the tree, their shame became apparent to both of them, and they began to fasten over themselves the leaves of the Garden. And their Lord called both of them, "Did I not forbid both of you from this tree and say to both of you that Satan is to both of you an open enemy?"

(Adam and his wife were forgiven, so they were not sentenced to death after their error, because they actually were not immortals before erring. That is confirmed by Verse 21:34, “And We did not make for any man before you immortality; so if you die, then (would) they live forever?”. And it is also confirmed by the Bible, in Genesis 3:22, “he must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever”)(Allah knows best)

11:37 And construct the ship under Our Eyes, and Our inspiration and do not address Me concerning those who wronged; indeed, they are to be drowned." … 11:43 He said, "I will betake myself to a mountain that will save me from the water." He said, "There is no protector today from the Command of Allah, except on whom He has mercy." And the waves came between them, so he was among the drowned. … 11:45 And Noah called to his Lord and said, "O my Lord, indeed, my son is of my family, and indeed, Your promise is true, and You are the Most Just of the judges." 11:46 He said, "O Noah, indeed, he is not of your family; indeed, (his) deed is other than righteous, so do not ask Me about what you have no any knowledge of it. Indeed, I admonish you lest you be among the ignorant." 11:47 He said, "O my Lord, indeed, I seek refuge in You, from asking You that of which I have no knowledge. And unless You forgive me and You have mercy on me, I will be among the losers." 11:48 It was said, "O Noah, go down with peace from Us and blessings on you and on the nations from those with you. But (to other) nations We will grant enjoyment; then will touch them from Us a painful punishment."

(God said “do not address Me concerning those who wronged” (11:37). The root “Kh-Tay-Ba” (address) means “hold a dialogue, talk/speak/converse, etc.”. Verse 11:45 could suggest that Noah disregarded that warning; but Verse 11:48 suggests that he was forgiven: “O Noah, go down with peace from Us and blessings on you”)(Another point is that Verse 11:46 says “I admonish you lest you be among the ignorant”, which might suggest that, despite he was warned (he might have intentionally erred), but he might be among the ignorant if he persists in that matter. Noah is warned a second time, “do not ask Me” (11:46), so that he might not persist)(So, these Verses might confirm that “ignorance” might not imply it to be “unintentional”)(Allah knows best)

21:87 And Dhun-Nun, when he went (away) in anger and thought that We would never decree upon him. Then he called in the darkness that, "There is no god except You, Glory be to You, indeed, I am of the wrongdoers." 21:88 So We responded to him, and We saved him from the distress. And thus We save the believers. … 37:139 And indeed, Jonah was surely of the Messengers. 37:140 When he ran away to the laden ship. 37:141 Then he drew lots and was of the losers. 37:142 Then the fish swallowed him, while he was blameworthy. 37:143 And if he had not been of those who glorify

(Another example of an intentional sin being forgiven: Jonah (aka Dhun-Nun) ran away (21:87, 37:140); it is said that he attempts to flee, instead of obeying God, in a laden ship (37:140), and he thought that God would never decree upon him (21:87), but someone was to be thrown to the sea, because of the heavy weight in the ship, so he drew lots and was of the losers (37:141); then the fish swallowed him, while he was blameworthy (37:142); then after glorifying God (21:87, 37:143), he was saved (21:88))(Allah knows best)

4:97 Indeed, those whom the Angels take (while) they were wronging themselves - they say, "In what (condition) were you?" They said, "We were oppressed in the earth.” They said, "Was not the earth of Allah spacious (enough) so that you (could) emigrate in it?" Then those (will have) their abode in Hell – and it is an evil destination. 4:98 Except the oppressed among the men and the women and the children who are not able to plan [and] nor are they directed (to) a way. 4:99 Then those, may be, Allah will pardon them, and Allah is Oft-Pardoning, Oft-Forgiving.

(An interpretation of these Verses is that they committed intentional sins, because they knew that they did wrong, and by knowing it, they could have emigrated (4:97). Those who “wanted” to emigrate are to be forgiven (4:98), whether they were able to emigrate or not. Verse 33:5 confirms that “there is no blame upon you if you made a mistake therein, but what your hearts intended”)(Allah knows best)

14:35 And when Abraham said, "My Lord, make this city secure and keep me and my sons away from worshiping idols. 14:36 My Lord, indeed, they have led astray many among mankind. So whoever follows me, then indeed, he is of me, and whoever disobeys me, then (fa) indeed, You are Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

(He who obeys the Messenger, obeys God (4:80); likewise, he who disobeys the Messenger, disobeys God. And after that (“fa” indicates chronology), God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (14:36))(Allah knows best)

39:53 Say, "O My slaves, those who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the Mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, He is the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.

12:87 O my sons, go and find out about Joseph and his brother and despair not of the Mercy of Allah . Indeed, no one despairs of the Mercy of Allah except the disbelieving people."

66:8 O you who believe, turn to Allah in sincere repentance. Perhaps your Lord will remove from you your evil deeds and admit you into Gardens underneath which rivers flow - that Day Allah will not disgrace the Prophet and those who believed with him. Their light will run before them and on their right; they will say, "Our Lord, perfect for us our light and forgive us. Indeed, You are All-Powerful over everything."

(Verses 66:8 and 28:67 use the word “perhaps” (‘asa), as if they might not be forgiven, but Verse 66:8 says in addition that “that Day Allah will not disgrace the Prophet and those who believed with him”, which indicates that believers are to be saved. So, one interpretation is that they are to be forgiven as long as they are in the right course; for example, someone is doing righteous deeds, but it is not known yet, until he dies, if he will end up having more evil deeds than good deeds or vice versa (101:6-8), or if he will die as a Muslim (7:126, 4:18, 9:125, 2:161). Both Verses (66:8 and 28:67) tell about believers being required to “repent”, so they previously committed some mistake)(Verses 29:7, 3:195, 5:12, 5:65-66 and 11:114 confirm that those who believe and do righteous deeds, surely, God will remove their evil deeds and reward them)(Another point is that the root of “’asa” (perhaps) is “Ayn-Siin-Ya”, and it means “to perhaps, it may well be that, near to doing, hope/desire”. So, according to other meanings of the word, “’asa” is in the sense of hoping salvation, or going in the direction of salvation)(Allah knows best)

28:67 But as for (him) who repented and believed, and did righteousness, then perhaps (fa’asa) he will be of the successful ones.

3:145 And (it) is not for a soul that he dies except by (the) permission of Allah, (at a) decree determined. And whoever desires reward (of) the world - We will give him thereof; and whoever desires reward (of) the Hereafter, We will give him thereof. And We will reward the grateful ones.

3:128 Not for you is the decision of anything whether He turns to them or punishes them, for indeed, they are wrongdoers. 3:129 And to Allah (belongs) what is in the heavens and what is in the earth, He forgives whom He wills and punishes whom He wills. And Allah (is) Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

(Verse 3:129 says, “He forgives whom He wills and punishes whom He wills”, as if forgiveness and punishment were arbitrary, but according to the context (3:128), it only refers to the wrongdoers, so those who do good deeds are to be saved. Verse 3:128 says, “whether He turns to them or punishes them, for indeed, they are wrongdoers”)(And another interpretation is that it only refers to forgiving or punishing in this world (e.g. good things might happen to bad people in this world), but the wrongdoers are ultimately punished in the Hereafter)(See the link below: “Is God’s action of punishment or mercy and guidance or misguidance arbitrary?”)(Allah knows best)

4:17 The repentance accepted by (‘ala) Allah is only for those who do evil in ignorance, then they repent soon after. Then it is those to whom Allah will turn in forgiveness, and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. 4:18 And the repentance is not accepted from those who do evil deeds until when death is present to one of them, he says, "Indeed, I repent now;" nor for those who die while they are disbelievers. For them We have prepared a painful punishment.

(Verse 4:17 uses the word “’ala” (upon) which could imply that it is incumbent to accept the repentance in this case (e.g. like in Verse 75:17 “Indeed, upon Us (‘alayna) is its collection and its recitation”), but in a case, other than “doing evil in ignorance” and “repenting soon after”, then it would not be incumbent to accept the repentance; (so it may be forgiven, or may be not). Then, Verse 4:18 says, “the repentance is not accepted from those who do evil deeds until when death is present to one of them, he says, "Indeed, I repent now;" nor for those who die while they are disbelievers”. So, people have to repent in this world, and must believe, in order to be forgiven)(See the link below “Is God’s action of punishment or mercy and guidance or misguidance arbitrary?”)(Allah knows best)

See also: Is shirk forgivable? (shirk = idolatry or polytheism)

http://aqtthq.blogspot.com.es/2016/02/is-shirk-forgivable.html

See also: Can those who are cursed be forgiven?

http://aqtthq.blogspot.com.es/2017/03/can-those-who-are-cursed-be-forgiven.html

See also: Words of Comfort, Hope, tranquility, reassurance, etc.

http://aqtthq.blogspot.com.es/2016/03/words-of-comfort-and-hope.html

See also: Is there Mercy in Islam? Is God Merciful?

https://aqtthq.blogspot.com.es/2016/10/is-there-mercy-in-islam-is-god-merciful.html