How are Allah’s attributes of Al-Afuw and Al-Ghaffar manifested?
Al-Afuw means "the One Who is all-pardoning"; al-Ghaffar means "the One Who has plenty of mercy and forgiveness." People are prone to error and forgetfulness, and so make countless mistakes and so feel regret countless times while in this world. Yet each time they sincerely repent, they find Allah most merciful and all-forgiving, because He is the most merciful to His servants, and protects and forgives them. Allah informs people of this truth:
Anyone who does evil, or wrongs himself and then asks Allah’s forgiveness, will find Allah Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Surat an-Nisa’, 110)
Another verse relates that Allah may forgive all wrongdoing except associating other deities with Him:
Allah does not forgive anything being associated with Him, but He forgives whomever He wills for anything other than that. Anyone who associates something with Allah has committed a terrible crime. (Surat an-Nisa’, 48)