The Arabic Text

فَتَلَقَّىٰ آدَمُ مِن رَّبِّهِ كَلِمَاتٍ فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ

Transliteration (How to read it in English letters)

Fa talaqqā Ādamu mir rabbihī kalimātin fa tāba 'alayh, innahū huwat-Tawwābur-Raḥīm.

Simple English Translation

"Then Adam received from his Lord some words, and He accepted his repentance. Indeed, it is He who is the Accepting of Repentance, the Most Merciful."

Full Explanation in Easy English

This verse is the beautiful and hopeful conclusion to the story of Adam's slip. It does not end with punishment, but with the first act of repentance and ALLAH's infinite mercy. It introduces the most important tool a believer has.

Let's break it down:

1. The Past: The First Repentance and Instant Mercy

• "Adam received from his Lord some words": After realizing his mistake, Adam didn't just feel sorry. He sought guidance on how to repent. ALLAH, in His mercy, taught him the very words to say. According to Islamic tradition, these words were a prayer: "Rabbana thalamna anfusana wa illam taghfirlana wa tarhamna lanakoonanna mina al-khasireen" (Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers). (Quran 7:23)

• "He accepted his repentance": ALLAH did not hesitate or delay. The moment the sincere prayer left Adam's lips, ALLAH accepted it. This shows that turning back to ALLAH is always met with open arms.

• The Divine Names: The verse concludes by highlighting two of ALLAH's names: At-Tawwab (The Accepting of Repentance, who continually turns to the sinner) and Ar-Raheem (The Especially Merciful). This was the first demonstration of these attributes in human history.

In the past, this event established that no mistake is too great for ALLAH's mercy, as long as the sinner turns back with sincerity.

2. The Present: Your Direct Line to Mercy

This verse is the ultimate source of hope and a practical guide for us today.

• Repentance (Tawbah) is a Gift, Not a Burden: Just like Adam, we are not left to figure it out alone. ALLAH has already given us the "words" and the method for repentance. It involves:

  1. Stopping the sin immediately.

  2. Feeling genuine remorse in your heart.

  3. Making a firm decision not to return to it.

  4. If the sin involved wronging another person, restoring their rights.

• Allah's Door is Always Open: No matter what we have done, no matter how many times we have slipped, ALLAH is At-Tawwab. His mercy is not a limited resource. In a world where we often feel judged and unforgiven, this verse is a powerful reminder that the only opinion that truly matters is that of the Most Merciful, and He is always ready to forgive.

• Don't Let Shaitan Trick You About Sin: Shaitan's second trick (after making you sin) is to make you believe that your sin is too great to be forgiven, so you might as well continue. This verse destroys that lie. Adam committed the slip that led to humanity's descent from Paradise, and he was forgiven instantly.

Today, this verse empowers us to get back up after every fall. It teaches us that spiritual growth is not about being perfect, but about constantly returning to ALLAH.

3. The Future: The Key to Paradise

The act of repentance is not just for cleaning our past; it is the key to our future.

• The Habit for a Successful End: A believer should live between hope (in ALLAH's mercy) and fear (of His punishment). Regular repentance (Tawbah) keeps our spiritual record clean and increases our chances of dying in a state pleasing to ALLAH, which is the ultimate goal.

• The Final Return: The entire story from Verse 30 to 37 is a cycle: Humanity was created for Paradise, slipped, was sent to Earth, and shown the way to return. Repentance is the first and most crucial step on the path back to Jannah. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The one who repents from sin is like one who has no sin." (Ibn Majah)

• Meeting Allah as At-Tawwab: On the Day of Judgment, when we will most desperately need mercy, the fact that we constantly turned to The Acceptor of Repentance in our worldly life will be our greatest hope. It proves our inherent recognition of Him as our source of forgiveness and salvation.

For the future, this verse assures us that our destiny is not sealed by our mistakes, but by our ability to turn back to ALLAH. It makes the future a prospect of hope, not despair.

Summary for a Contemporary Audience

Think of the complete story:

• The Mistake (v.36): Humanity slips.

• The Solution (v.37): ALLAH provides the reset button—Repentance.

Your takeaway: You will make mistakes. It is part of being human. But you must never lose hope in ALLAH's mercy. The moment you feel regret, know that ALLAH has already given you the words to say. He is waiting for you to call on Him so He can forgive you. Your journey on Earth is not about being sinless, but about sincerely returning to the Sinless, again and again. This is your direct line to peace in this life and success in the next.