are some who will be punished, and that no one with an atom’s weight of faith in his heart will remain in the Fire.

The Second Type

The second type of comprehensive forgiveness indicated by His words,

“O My servants, you sin by night and by day, and I forgive all sins,”

is forgiveness in the sense of lightening the punishment or postponing it until an appointed time. This applies universally, without restriction. Thus, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, interceded for Abū Tālib despite his having died while associating partners with Allah. He was moved from the depths of the Fire to a shallow part of it, with two sandals of fire on his feet that cause his brain to boil. He said:

“Were it not for me, he would have been in the lowest depth of the Fire.”

This meaning is also indicated by His words, glorified is He:

“If Allah were to take people to task for what they have earned, He would not leave a single living creature on its surface.”

“If Allah were to take people to task for their wrongdoing, He would not leave a single living creature upon it.”

“Whatever calamity befalls you is because of what your own hands have earned, and He pardons much.”

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As for His words, mighty and majestic is He:

“O My servants, you can never harm Me, nor can you ever benefit Me,”

He thereby makes clear that, in showing kindness to them by answering their supplications and forgiving their missteps, He does not seek recompense