The Prophet ﷺ said: “The most beloved of your names to Allah are ʿAbd Allah and ʿAbd al-Rahman” (Muslim 2132), and scholars add to them all names formed on a name of Allah. The name al-ʿAfuww occurs 5 times in the Quran; its page in the 99 Names section gives its meaning and verses.
ʿAbd al-ʿAfuww joins ʿabd with al-ʿAfuww, from the root ʿ-f-w of effacing: the One who erases sins so that no trace remains, beyond forgiveness itself. For the Night of Decree the Prophet ﷺ taught: “O Allah, You are ʿAfuww and generous, You love to pardon, so pardon me” (al-Tirmidhi 3513). A rare name.
O you who have believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated until you know what you are saying or in a state of janābah, except those passing through [a place of prayer], until you have washed [your whole body]. And if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women [i.e., had sexual intercourse] and find no water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and your hands [with it]. Indeed, Allāh is ever Pardoning and Forgiving.
