The Essence of Islam – Volume I — Page 295
The Holy Prophetsa 295. This means that: The succour and victory that had been promised having come and you having seen, O Prophet, that people are entering into Islām in great hosts, then praise and glorify God, that is to say, confess that whatever has happened was not your doing but was the grace and beneficence of Allāh, and supplicate Allāh in final. Istighfar for He is Oft-Returning with compassion. . When Prophets are urged to Istighfär, it is wrong to conclude that this means that they have to seek forgiveness like sinful people. In their case, it is a confession of their nothingness and humility and weakness and is a respectful way of seeking His help. As these verses affirm that the purpose of the advent of the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allāh be on him] had been fulfilled, that is to say, thousands of people had accepted Islām and this was an indication of the approaching death of the Holy. Prophet he died within a year of the receipt of this revelation it was natural that as these verses had given pleasure to the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allāh be on him] he should also be concerned that the garden having been planted, what about its future irrigation? So God Almighty, in order to remove this concern of the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allāh be on him] urged him to Istighfär. . The meaning of maghfirat is so to cover up a person that he should be safeguarded against calamities. Thus, mighfar means a helmet. Istighfar means that the calamity that is feared or the sin that is apprehended, may be covered up and stopped from becoming manifest. In this case it was to convey reassurance to the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allāh be on him] that he should not grieve over the faith, that God Almighty would not let it