Praise be to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.
“Al-Halim” is one of the Names of Allah تعالى. It refers to the One characterized by forbearance: He does not hasten to punish those who disobey Him, despite His سبحانه وتعالى ability to do so. Rather, He gives His servants time so that they may repent and return to Him.
The Name of Allah Al-Halim occurs in several places in the Qur’an, including His saying:
“And know that Allah is Forgiving and Forbearing.” [Al-Baqarah 2:235]
And He تعالى said:
“A kind word and forgiveness are better than charity followed by hurt. And Allah is Self-Sufficient, Forbearing.” [Al-Baqarah 2:263]
This demonstrates that Al-Halim is an established Name of Allah سبحانه وتعالى.
Ibn Jarir al-Tabari رحمه الله explained the meaning of Al-Halim:
“It means that He possesses deliberateness and does not hasten to punish the one who disobeys Him and مخالفة His command.”
Thus, forbearance here includes not hastening to punish, despite having the ability to do so.
Al-Khattabi رحمه الله said:
“He is the One characterized by forgiveness and deliberateness, whom anger does not provoke, and whom the ignorance of an ignorant person or the disobedience of a sinner does not unsettle.”
He رحمه الله explained that true forbearance is not merely forgiveness resulting from inability. Rather, the forbearing one forgives despite having the power to punish and exercises patience instead of hastening to punishment.
Qiwam al-Sunnah al-Asbahani رحمه الله stated that Allah تعالى is forbearing toward those who disobey Him; for if He wanted to seize them with punishment immediately, He could do so. Yet He سبحانه is forbearing toward them and gives them respite until the appointed time He has decreed for them.
Here we can see the difference between the forbearance of the Creator and that of a created being.
Human forbearance is a created attribute. It may appear after previously being absent, and it may change because of illness, anger, or other causes. Moreover, the forbearance of a created being is limited and ends with his life.
As for Allah’s forbearance, it is eternal and everlasting; it neither disappears nor changes. It is forbearance accompanied by perfect power. Allah is never unable to punish His servants; rather, He gives them respite through His forbearance and wisdom.
Among the effects of Allah’s forbearance is that He does not immediately punish a servant merely because he has committed a sin. Rather, He gives him time and opens for him the door of repentance and return to Him.
Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله said:
“He is Al-Halim, so He does not hasten to punish His servant for disobedience, so that he may repent from his disobedience.”
Al-Sa‘di رحمه الله said in explaining the Name Al-Halim:
“Al-Halim is the One who bestows upon His creation apparent and hidden blessings despite their disobedience and numerous mistakes. He forbears from responding to the disobedient with punishment, gives them the opportunity to seek His pleasure by repenting, and gives them respite so that they may return to Him.”
Part of Allah’s mercy and forbearance is that a servant may sin while Allah’s blessings upon him continue, and he is given respite rather than being immediately punished, giving him an opportunity to return and repent.
Believing that Allah تعالى is Al-Halim calls the servant to two great matters:
Having good expectations of Allah’s mercy and forbearance, and not despairing of repentance no matter how much a person has fallen short.
Hastening to repent and not being deceived by the respite; the delay of punishment does not mean approval of the sin. Rather, it may be part of Allah’s forbearance and His giving His servant time to return to Him.
The Name of Allah “Al-Halim” indicates that He سبحانه does not hasten to punish those who disobey Him, despite His perfect ability to punish them. Rather, He gives them respite through His forbearance and opens for them the door of repentance and return. Allah’s forbearance is perfect and everlasting, unlike the forbearance of created beings, which is subject to deficiency, change, and disappearance.
And Allah knows best.