37 Preface فَتَلَقّىٰ آدَمُ مِن رَبِّهِ كَلِماتٍ فَتابَ عَلَيهِ ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ التَّوّابُ الرَّحيمُYusuf AliThen learnt Adam from his Lord words of inspiration1, and his Lord Turned towards him; for He is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.As “names” in verse 31 above is used for the “nature of things”, so “words” here mean “inspiration,” “spiritual knowledge.” The Arabic word used for “learn” here implies some effort on his part, to which God’s Grace responded. The Arabic word for “Repentance” (tawbah) means “turning,” and the intensive word (tawwab) for God’s forgiveness (“Oft-Returning” or “Ever-Returning”) is from the same root. For repentance, three things are necessary: the sinner must acknowledge his wrong; he must give it up; and he must resolve to eschew it for the future, Man’s nature is weak, and he may have to return again and again for mercy. So long as he does it sincerely, God is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful. For His grace helps out the sinner’s shortcomings.