What does the name Al-Afuww mean?

Al-Afuww means Allah who pardons sins and erases even their trace.

Do pardon (afw) and forgiveness (maghfirah) differ?

Yes. Maghfirah covers the sin, while afw wipes it out entirely, as if it had never been.

Al-Asma al-Husna

The one who pardons sins and erases even their trace

Arabic

الْعَفُوّ

Transliteration: al-ʿAfuww
Meaning: Al-Afuww means the one who pardons sins and erases even their trace. Afw goes a step beyond maghfirah: maghfirah covers the sin, while afw wipes it out entirely. Allah forgives the sin of a repentant servant in such a way that it is as if it had never been.

«...Indeed, Allah is Ever-Pardoning (Al-Afuww), Most Forgiving (Al-Ghafur).»

Explanation

Forgiveness that erases the trace
The Quran highlights this name in the dua taught for the Night of Qadr: "O Allah, You are Ever-Pardoning (Al-Afuww), You love pardon, so pardon me" (Jami at-Tirmidhi, 3513). This dua shows how beloved pardon is to Allah.
Encouraging pardon
A servant who recognizes Allah as Al-Afuww also learns to pardon others. The Quran says: "Let them pardon and overlook. Do you not wish that Allah should forgive you?" (An-Nur, 22).

This page is based on Quran verses and authentic hadith sources.

QuranSurah An-Nisa, 99
Allah's being Ever-Pardoning (Al-Afuww) and Most Forgiving (Al-Ghafur) occurs together in this verse.
HadithJami at-Tirmidhi, 3513
Allah's being Al-Afuww and loving pardon in the dua for the Night of Qadr occurs in this hadith.
Classical sourceTDV İslam Ansiklopedisi, "Esmâ-i hüsnâ"
Academic source for the explanation of the name Al-Afuww.

Other Names with closely connected meanings.

Common questions about this Name.

What does the name Al-Afuww mean?
Al-Afuww means Allah who pardons sins and erases even their trace.
Do pardon (afw) and forgiveness (maghfirah) differ?
Yes. Maghfirah covers the sin, while afw wipes it out entirely, as if it had never been.