Allah has forgiven you is a metaphor for wrongdoing, because forgiveness is synonymous with it. Mahmoud said: 'This is a metaphor for wrongdoing, because forgiveness is synonymous with it... etc.' Ahmad, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 'It is not permissible for him to interpret this verse in this way. It is one of two matters: either it is not what is meant, or it is what is meant, but Allah has spared His noble Prophet from addressing him with explicit reproach, especially regarding the chosen one, blessings and peace be upon him. Therefore, Al-Zamakhshari, in either case, is neglectful of what is due to him, blessings and peace be upon him. Indeed, he has spoken well who said about this verse: 'Indeed, from the kindness of Allah, the Exalted, to His Prophet is that He began with forgiveness before reproach. If He had initially said to him: Why did you permit them? His heart would have broken, blessings and peace be upon him. Such etiquette should be emulated in the case of the master of mankind, blessings and peace be upon him.' Its meaning is: You made a mistake, and what you did is evil. The saying 'Its meaning is: You made a mistake, and what you did is evil' addresses the Messenger of Allah with tenderness and compassion, while the author interpreted it with harshness and severity, and there is a great difference between them. Why did you permit them? This clarifies what was implied by forgiveness. Its meaning is: Why did you allow them to remain behind from fighting when they sought your permission and made excuses to you? Why did you not delay granting permission until it becomes clear to you who is truthful in his excuse and who is lying? It is said that there are two things the Messenger of Allah, blessings and peace be upon him, did without being commanded: his permission to the hypocrites and his taking from the captives, and Allah reproached him for that.