And Allah was not, meaning: with what He has of the attributes of perfection, greatness, and majesty. He emphasized the negation by saying: "to punish them," meaning: to renew that for them at a time among the times. "And you," meaning: O most honorable of creation, "in them," for indeed, it is for an eye that a thousand eyes are rewarded and honored... And when he clarified the blessing of his existence, he followed it with what befalls them ﷺ when he is absent from the servants of punishment, and he said: "And Allah was not," meaning: He who has all perfection, "punishing them," meaning: affirming the description of His punishment in such a way that it lasts, "while they are seeking forgiveness," meaning: they are asking for forgiveness through supplication or they are uttering this phrase and saying: I seek forgiveness from Allah. For indeed, his utterance, even if it is a statement, is a supplication and a request. Thus, his presence ﷺ among a people is more eloquent than the negation of punishment from them. And this statement is an encouragement for them to seek forgiveness and a teaching of what repels punishment from them, just as you say: I would not strike you while you obey me, meaning: so obey me. Imam Abu Ja'far al-Nahhas pointed this out, and in that is a great exhortation for those who have him ﷺ among them from the Muslims, both their truthful ones and hypocrites, to have the desire to continue with him and the fear of parting from him. And it is an introduction for them to what they have in the presence of his radiant essence in their midst of great blessings, encouraging love for the length of his life and holding fast to his support in his prohibitions and commands. For the intended meaning - and Allah knows best - of seeking forgiveness is the request for forgiveness with its conditions of faith and obedience. And from Abu Musa al-Ash'ari, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: In this nation, there were two trusts; as for the Prophet ﷺ, he has passed away, and as for seeking forgiveness, it will remain among you until the Day of Resurrection.