This is further clarified by the fact that evil does not occur in His names, but only in what He brings into being. It is attributed to Him only in general terms; otherwise, it is attributed to a created cause, or its agent is left unmentioned. Examples include His words, Most High:

“Allah is the Creator of all things,”

and:

“From the evil of what He has created.”

Likewise, His names occur in pairs, such as the Giver and the Withholder, the One who causes harm and the One who grants benefit, the One who honours and the One who abases, the One who lowers and the One who raises. Other examples include His words:

“And when I am ill, it is He who cures me.”

“The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favour, not of those who have incurred wrath, nor of those who have gone astray.”

And the words of the jinn:

“We do not know whether evil is intended for those on earth, or whether their Lord intends right guidance for them.”

It is authentically reported in Sahīh Muslim that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, would say in the opening supplication of prayer:

“All good is in Your hands, and evil is not ascribed to You.”

Whether this means that evil is not ascribed to You and cannot be a means of drawing near to You, or whether evil is said to be either nonexistence or a necessary consequence of nonexistence, neither of which is attributable to Allah, this makes clear that only good is ascribed to Him, glory be to Him. His names signify His attributes, all of which are good, excellent and beautiful, containing no evil. Evil occurs only in created things. Allah Most High says:

“Tell My servants that I am indeed the All-Forgiving, the Most Merciful,”

“and that My punishment is indeed the painful punishment.”

He, Most High, also says:

“Know that Allah is severe in punishment, and that Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

And He, Most High, says:

“Indeed, your Lord is swift in punishment, and He is certainly All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

Thus He made forgiveness and mercy part of the meanings of His most beautiful names by which He names Himself. Hence forgiveness