Ibn ‘Abbas reported God’s messenger as stating that God has said, “If anyone knows that I have power to forgive sins I will pardon him and not care, so long as he associatesi nothing with me.” It is transmitted in Sharh as-sunna.
Hadith Commentary from Mishkat al-Masabih
This sacred tradition (hadith qudsi) from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), transmitted through Ibn 'Abbas and recorded in Mishkat al-Masabih 2338, reveals profound divine mercy while emphasizing the absolute necessity of maintaining pure tawhid (monotheism).
The Divine Promise of Forgiveness
Allah Almighty declares that whoever truly recognizes His absolute power to forgive all sins—no matter how great—will receive His pardon. This recognition must be coupled with firm belief that no sin is beyond Allah's capacity to forgive, except the unpardonable sin of shirk (associating partners with Allah).
The Condition of Tawhid
The phrase "so long as he associates nothing with me" establishes the fundamental boundary of Islamic theology. While Allah's mercy encompasses all other sins for those who repent, shirk remains the one exception that cannot be forgiven if one dies upon it. This underscores the primacy of pure monotheism in Islamic belief.
Scholarly Interpretation
Classical scholars explain that this hadith encourages hope in divine mercy while maintaining proper fear of Allah. The "knowledge" mentioned refers to certain faith (yaqin) in Allah's all-encompassing forgiveness, not mere intellectual acknowledgment. This certainty should inspire sincere repentance and reliance upon Allah's boundless compassion.
Practical Implications
This teaching reminds believers never to despair of Allah's mercy, regardless of their sins, while vigilantly guarding against any form of shirk—whether major (like idolatry) or subtle (like showing off in worship). It balances hope and fear, encouraging sinners to repent while warning against compromising tawhid.