I understand that Your forgiveness... is far greater!
If only those who’re pure can hope for Your mercy:
whom else can one be seeking help, for the sinner?
Lord, I’m humbly asking You, like You told me to:
who will pity me if of my hand, You’re not a taker?
There is no other way I have to You, but the hope
that as a Muslim You will be You... the Forgiver!" - Meaning and context.">
As quoted in Three Great Abbasid Poets: Abu Nuwas, Al-Mutanabbi & Al-Ma'arri, Lives & Poems (2015) by Paul Smith
“

O Lord, even though I have committed many sins
I understand that Your forgiveness... is far greater!
If only those who’re pure can hope for Your mercy:
whom else can one be seeking help, for the sinner?
Lord, I’m humbly asking You, like You told me to:
who will pity me if of my hand, You’re not a taker?
There is no other way I have to You, but the hope
that as a Muslim You will be You... the Forgiver!

— Abu Nuwas

What It Means

This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "O Lord, even though I have committed many sins
I understand that Your forgiveness... is far greater!
If only those who’re pure can hope for Your mercy:
whom else can one be seeking help, for the sinner?
Lord, I’m humbly asking You, like You told me to:
who will pity me if of my hand, You’re not a taker?
There is no other way I have to You, but the hope
that as a Muslim You will be You... the Forgiver!" in the context of "As quoted in Three Great Abbasid Poets: Abu Nuwas, Al-Mutanabbi & Al-Ma'arri, Lives & Poems (2015) by Paul Smith" to mean that wisdom is timeless.

Quote Image
Source: Wikiquote: "Abu Nuwas" (Quotes) The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
Abu Nuwas

About Abu Nuwas

Abu Nuwas (756–814) was an Arab poet who lived in Baghdad during the Abbasid era. He is known for composing poetry about love, sex and wine.