In the Qur’an, the Arabic language’s richness and depth are evident in the various words used to convey different meanings and nuances. Allah says in Surah Taghabun, verse 14,
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِنَّ مِنْ أَزْوَٰجِكُمْ وَأَوْلَـٰدِكُمْ عَدُوًّۭا لَّكُمْ فَٱحْذَرُوهُمْ ۚ وَإِن تَعْفُوا۟ وَتَصْفَحُوا۟ وَتَغْفِرُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌ
O you who have believed, indeed, among your spouses and your children are enemies to you, so beware of them. But if you pardon and overlook and forgive – then indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
The words تَعْفُوا۟ ta’foo (‘pardon’), تَصْفَحُوا۟ tasfahoo (‘overlook’), and تَغْفِرُوا۟ taghfiroo (‘forgive’) are all related to the concept of forgiveness, but they each carry distinct shades of meaning:
1. The word تَعْفُوا۟ (ta’fu) is a verb from the noun عَفْوٌ ‘afw: This word comes from the root ع ف و which connotes meanings of obliteration and elimination. The word عَفْوٌ conveys the idea of pardoning or overlooking someone’s faults or offenses. It implies that the person granting forgiveness is choosing to let go of the issue without seeking retribution, although blame and censure may still be offered.
2. The word تَصْفَحُوا۟ (tasfahoo) is a verb from the noun صَفْحٌ: Derived from the root ص ف ح, this word suggests the act of turning a page, both literally and figuratively. In the context of forgiveness, صَفْحٌ implies moving on from a wrongdoing or mistake by turning over a new leaf, without reproach or blame and without seeking retribution. It signifies a fresh start and the decision to leave past issues behind and focus on a renewed relationship or situation. It is a middle state between عَفْوٌ and غُفْرانٌ.
3. The word تَغْفِرُوا۟ (taghfiroo) is a verb from the noun غُفْرانٌ : Stemming from the root غ ف ر (ghafara), this root is the most commonly used term for forgiveness in the Qur’an. غُفْرانٌ refers to the act of covering, concealing, or protecting someone from the consequences of their mistakes or transgressions.
In the context of forgiveness, it implies that the person forgiving is not only letting go of the offense but also actively seeking to protect the wrongdoer from the negative consequences of their actions, by considering that they never occurred. There is no blame or censure felt even internally, and this is the highest form of forgiveness.
While all three words تَعْفُوا۟ (ta’fu), تَصْفَحُوا۟ (tasfahu), and تَغْفِرُوا۟ (taghfiru) are related to the concept of forgiveness, they each highlight different aspects and degrees of the forgiving process, the highest level of which is غُفْرانٌ, as exemplified in the closing of the verse where Allah says that if you are able to do غُفْرانٌ then He will also be Forgiving – غَفورٌ – He will also forgive our wrongdoings and consider that they never occurred.
And Allah knows best.