The meaning of Allaah’s name Al-Haleem

Al-Haleem (Clement, The Most Forbearing)

The meaning of Allaah’s name al-Haleem

“And know that Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Forbearing [Haleem]” [al-Baqarah 2:235]

“Kind words and forgiving of faults are better than Sadaqah (charity) followed by injury. And Allaah is Rich (Free of all needs) and He is Most-Forbearing” [al-Baqarah 2:263]

“This means that He gives respite and does not hasten to punish the one who disobeys Him or goes against His command.”

 “He is forgiving and grants respite, the One Whose anger does not overwhelm Him and Who is not provoked by the ignorance of the ignorant or the disobedience of the disobedient. One who forgives when he is not able to punish does not deserve to be called Haleem (forbearing); rather the one who is al-Haleem is the One Who forgives when He is able to punish and Who gives respite and does not hasten the punishment.”

 “Forbearing towards the one who disobeys Him, because if He wanted to punish him at the time of the sin, He could do so, but He grants him respite until the appointed time. Even though this is a name that may be applied to a person, the forbearance of a person is not a quality with which a person is born and which then develops when he grows older; it may change at times of sickness or anger, or because of events that happen. His attribute dies when he dies, but the forbearance of Allaah abides and never disappears. A person may forgive one thing but not another; he may forgive those against whom he is powerless to exact revenge, but Allaah forgives even though He is able to punish.”

 “He is the Forbearing and does not hasten the punishment for His slave, (granting him respite) so that he may repent from his sin.”

 “Al-Haleem is the One Who keeps bestowing blessings, both visible and hidden, on His creation, even though they disobey Him and make many mistakes. So He forgives and does not give the sinners the punishment they deserve; He encourages them to repent and gives them time to turn to Him.”.

Al-Haleem (The Most Forebearing)

Al-Haleem (The Most Forebearing) Allah, the Exalted, says, “And know that Allah knows what is in your souls, so fear Him, and know that Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Forbearing.”
[Al-Baqara (2):235]

He is the One Who causes apparent and hidden bounties to follow graciously unto His creation, even though have many sins and flaws. He is gentle with the disobedience of the disobeyers. He gives them an opportunity to repent and grants them time to turn unto Him. He is the One Who possess perfect mildness that encompasses the people of disbelief, disobedience and wickedness, in that He gives them time (respite) and He does not hasten on their punishment. This is so that they may repent. If He willed He could seize them because of their sins immediately when they perform those acts. For verily the sins require arranged consequences from hastened punishment of various types. But Allah’s gentleness is what necessitates their respite.
This is as Allah says

“And if Allah were to punish men for that which they earned, He would not leave a moving (living) on the surface of the earth; but He gives them respite to an appointed term: and when their term comes, then verily, Allah is Ever All-Seer of His slaves”.
[Al-Faatir (35): 45]

Allah also says

“And if Allah were to seize mankind for their wrong-doing, He would not leave on it (the earth) a single moving (living) creature, but He postpones them for an appointed term and when their term comes, neither can they delay nor can they advance it an hour (or a moment)”.
[An-Nahal (16): 61]

Al-Haleem is the One Who bestows favors, both outward and inward, lavishly to His creation despite their many acts of disobedience and transgression. He is gentle upon those that disobey him and in censuring them so that perchance they may repent and gives them respite so that they may become sorrowful.

"And know that Allah Knows what is in your minds, so fear Him. And know that Allah is Oft-Forgiving, the Forbearing."
(2:235)

"If you lend to Allah a goodly loan He will double it for you and will forgive you. Allah is the appreciative and rewarding, the Forbearing." (65:17)