The Guiding Light — Page 401
S u rah an-Na s r, Chapter 110 401 might find their way into the Muslim Community on account of lack of adequate training or education for the new converts. It is significant that whenever mention is made in the Qur’ a n of a destined victory or some great success falling to the Holy Prophet sa , he is generally told to ask God’s forgiveness and to seek His protection. This clearly shows that he is enjoined here to ask for God’s forgiveness and to seek His protection not for himself but for others; he is asked to pray that whenever there was any danger of his followers deviating from Islamic principles or precepts, God may save them from such a crisis. Thus there is no question here of the Prophet’s sa asking forgiveness for any of his own actions. According to the Qur’ a n, he enjoyed complete immunity from every moral lapse or deviation from the right course (53: 3). For a detailed treatment, however, of the word اﺳﺘﻐﻔﺎر ( istighf a r ) see 40: 56 & 48: 3. The expression, “He is Oft-Returning with compassion,” holds a message of hope to the Holy Prophet sa. He is told that whenever there was any danger of his followers deviating from the path of Islam and falling victims to moral