Chapter: Saying, “O Allah, forgive me if You will”

In the two Ṣaḥīḥs it is related from Abū Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “None of you should say, ‘O Allah, forgive me if You will; O Allah, have mercy on me if You will.’ Instead, let him be resolute in his request, for nothing can constrain Allah.”

Muslim adds: “And let him make his desire great, for nothing that He grants is too tremendous for Allah to bestow.” (1)

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Relevance of this chapter to the Book of Tawḥīd: Uttering “O Allah, forgive me if You will” signals lukewarm desire, scant care for the request, and a sense of independence from Allah on the one hand, while on the other it implies that something might compel Allah—Exalted is He—to act. Both notions contradict pure monotheism; hence the propriety of dedicating a chapter to this issue in the Book of Tawḥīd.

“Chapter: Saying ‘O Allah…’ etc.”: that is, such wording is impermissible.

“In the Ṣaḥīḥ”: i.e., in the two authentic collections.

“Let him be resolute in his request”: meaning he should ask with certitude, affirm his desire, and be confident of receiving an answer.

“Nothing can constrain Him”: no supplication or anything else obliges Him to do anything.