Will you explain this verse:" Nor do I absolve my own self (of blame): the (human soul) certainly prone to evil, unless my Lord do bestow His Mercy: but surely my Lord is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Yusuf, 12/53)?

Will you explain this verse:" Nor do I absolve my own self (of blame): the (human soul) certainly prone to evil, unless my Lord do bestow His Mercy: but surely my Lord is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Yusuf, 12/53)?

Dear Brother / Sister,

“Nor do I absolve my own self (of blame): the (human soul) certainly prone to evil, unless my Lord do bestow His Mercy: but surely my Lord is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Yusuf, 12/53)

Indeed, the soul leads man to evil and orders him to do evil. As a matter of fact, the human soul always tends to evil and, with might and main, orders man to commit bad deeds. That is, in general, there exists a tendency toward lust, sins and evil in the nature of the soul; the soul uses its power and the tools under its command to that end. It has a character like that. Therefore, if man stays alone with its soul, he will be dragged into evil, except those that Allah does not let. That is, the souls that my Lord protects and favors like Joseph’s soul, which was purified from evil thanks to the grace and mercy of Allah. They are clean and innocent souls. Or, when my Lord shows mercy, when the merciful power is superior to the power of the soul, the merciful power invalidates it and weakens it. Or, if the soul obeys the divine command and abandons its own command, it will be away from evil. Doubtlessly, my Lord is al-Ghafur (the Forgiver) an ar-Rahim (the All-Compassionate). His forgiveness and mercy is immense.

Then, since the Lord of the realms covers and prevents the natural inclinations and desires of the souls with His own forgiveness and since He prevents them from being realized and protects and favors them with His mercy, He will forgive and show mercy to those who confess to their sins and ask for forgiveness.  For this reason, I beg and expect the forgiveness and mercy of my Lord because I confess to the truth and tell the truth by not absolving my soul. 

Human soul tends to commit sins. It is possible to discipline it by avoiding harams and doing good deeds. Allah will help such people with His mercy. If a person happens to commit a sin, he must understand his mistake and repent. Allah will forgive his sins with His mercy.

(Elmalılı,  Hak Dini, the interpretation of the related verse)

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