then seek Allah’s forgiveness and repent to Him, for when a servant acknowledges his sin and then repents, Allah accepts his repentance.” (1)

In sum, the word “defilement” originally denotes filth. It may refer to associating partners with Allah, as in His words:

“So shun the defilement of idols.”

[Surah al-Hajj: 30]

It may also refer to forbidden vile things, including foods and drinks, as in His words:

“I find nothing in what has been revealed to me forbidden for anyone to eat, unless it is carrion, flowing blood, or the flesh of swine—for it is defilement—or an act of disobedience.”

[Surah al-Anām: 145]

And His words:

“Indeed, intoxicants, gambling, stone altars, and divining arrows are but defilement from Satan’s handiwork.”

[Surah al-Māidah: 90]

Removing that means removing all of it. We know that Allah removed from those noble figures both associating partners with Him and vile things. The word “defilement” is general and entails that Allah [wills] to (2) remove every form of defilement, for the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—supplicated for that.

As for his words, “and purify them completely,” this is an unqualified request for whatever is properly called purification. Some people claim that, since the wording is unqualified, it is sufficient (3) for any single form of purification to occur. They say the same regarding His words:

“So take heed, O people of insight.”

[Surah al-Hashr: 2]

and similar statements. The correct view is that this commands the meaning (4) denoted by “taking heed” when the expression is used without qualification. It is like saying, “Honor this person”—that is, treat him in a manner that, when the term is used without qualification, is called honoring. Likewise,