He who Effaces

Who effaces the fault down to its trace.

The tongue

From ʿ-f-w; ʿafw (عَفْو) is effacement, the wiping clean. Stronger than maghfira (which veils): ʿafw leaves not even a trace.

The reason

The forgiveness of al-Ghafūr (اَلْغَفُور) covers; that of al-ʿAfū effaces. As though the fault had never occurred.

The Sufi meaning

Allāhumma innaka ʿafuwwun karīmun tuḥibbu-l-ʿafwa fa-ʿfu ʿannī — “My God, You are the One who effaces, generous, who loves to efface: efface my faults.” The invocation of the Nights of Destiny.

The servant's portion

Forgive without reminding. Do not bring up another's old faults again: leave them truly behind.