The Holy Quran 5:118 — Surah Al-Ma'idah

Arabic text

إِن تُعَذِّبْهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ عِبَادُكَ ۖ وَإِن تَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ فَإِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ

Translation

"If You punish them, then verily they are Your slaves (and You are at liberty to treat them as You please), and if You forgive them, then surely You are the Mighty, the Wise (and Your reason for doing so is filled with wisdom)."

Tafsir (excerpt) — Tafsir Usmani

A useful subtlety: that is, You cannot inflict injustice or undue harshness on Your servants; therefore, if You punish them, it will be founded on perfect justice and wisdom, and if, let us suppose, You forgive, this forgiveness too will not be out of helplessness or foolishness. Since You are “'Aziz” (Mighty and Overpowering)

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