The Honour of Prophets — Page 31
31 Difference between Frailty and Sin It is quite erroneous to say that the word dhanb ( ذَنْب ) which actually means ‘frailty’ in the context of the verse 12 َ لِذَنْۢبِك ْ وَ اسْتَغْفِر implies sin, because there is a difference between the Arabic dhanb and jurm ( جُرْم ). The word jurm or sin is always used for such an offence which is deserving of punishment. However, dhanb is applicable also to human frailty. Hence, the word dhanb applies to Prophets due to their human weakness, but the word jurm is never applicable to them. No Prophet has ever been referred to as a sinner in the Book of God. Further, the Holy Quran, which is the book of God, warns the sinner with hell; in other words, God promises that the sinner will be thrown into hell, but no such warning is given to such a one who is weak by human nature. Allah the Exalted states: 13 يَحْيٰـى وَ لَا يَمُوْتُ فِيْهَا فَاِنَّ لَهٗ جَهَنَّمَ لَا مَنْ يَّاْتِ رَبَّهٗ مُجْرِمًا Meaning, he who comes to his Lord a sinner, his punishment is hell; he shall neither die therein nor live. Now in this instance, God has used the word mujriman which means ‘a sinner’ and not the word mudhniban or one to whom human weakness may be attributed. For 12 And ask forgiveness for thy frailties. ( Muhammad, 47:20) 13 Taha, 20:75