Kae Asakura, known to millions as Rae Lil Black, once reigned as a star in Japan’s adult entertainment scene, her name synonymous with a provocative and unapologetic career. But beneath the glitz and glamour lay a soul searching for deeper meaning. In 2024, a trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, became the unexpected catalyst for her transformation. Welcomed by the warmth of the Muslim community, Rae found herself drawn to Islam—a faith she formally embraced by early 2025. As she traded her past for prayer and reflection, her journey became a striking narrative of redemption and resilience, unfolding just in time for her first Ramadan.
Islam is a faith steeped in compassion and mercy, and one of the most profound expressions of Allah’s love is His forgiveness extended to those who embrace Islam anew. In the Quran, Surah Al-Anfal, verse 38, Allah promises to erase the past sins of individuals who sincerely accept Islam, offering them a fresh start illuminated by faith. This divine assurance brings immense hope to those seeking to embark on a renewed spiritual journey. Consider the following verse from Allah:
“Say to those who disbelieve: If they desist [from disbelief and embrace Islam], their past sins will be forgiven. But if they persist [in hostility against the Prophet], then the precedent of the earlier peoples has already been set.”
(Qul lilladzîna kafarû in yantahû yughfar lahum mâ qad salaf, wa in ya‘ûdû fa qad madlat sunnatul-awwalîn)
— Al-Anfal 8:38
(Qul lilladzîna kafarû in yantahû yughfar lahum mâ qad salaf, wa in ya‘ûdû fa qad madlat sunnatul-awwalîn)
— Al-Anfal 8:38
A Path to Redemption
According to Professor Quraish Shihab in his exegesis, Tafsir Al-Misbah, this verse offers disbelievers an opportunity for repentance. The preceding verses (Al-Anfal 36-37) describe how their deeds and wealth are futile and affirm the inevitability of divine punishment. Yet, to prevent despair, verse 38 opens a door to transformation and forgiveness. The term awwalîn (“earlier peoples”) at the verse’s end refers either to past nations destroyed for their defiance or to the polytheists of Mecca defeated at the Battle of Badr. This serves as a warning: opposing the truth leads only to ruin, urging them not to repeat history’s mistakes.
Professor Shihab further explains that when a disbeliever converts to Islam, all prior sins are absolved. Moreover, they are not obligated to fulfill religious duties missed before their conversion. This reflects Allah’s boundless mercy, granting everyone a chance to repent sincerely.
A Message of Mercy
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was commanded to deliver this message to those opposing Islam: if they abandon disbelief and accept the faith, Allah will forgive their past transgressions. However, if they persist in defiance, they will face the same fate as rebellious nations before them. Ibn Arabi, in his Tafsir Ahkam Al-Qur’an, views this verse as a manifestation of Allah’s compassion toward all creation. Disbelievers often fall into disbelief, sin, and grave misdeeds. If every offense were immediately punished, they would have no opportunity to repent or seek forgiveness.
Instead, Allah offers a path back to Him. Upon embracing Islam with genuine repentance, their sins are wiped clean. This provision eases their entry into the faith, fosters unity within the Muslim community, and draws them to the beauty of Islamic teachings. Ibn Arabi notes:
“Our scholars have said: This is a subtle grace from Allah, bestowed upon His creation. Disbelievers plunge into disbelief, crimes, and sins. If these acts warranted immediate retribution, they would never have the chance to repent or receive forgiveness. Thus, Allah facilitates their acceptance of repentance upon returning to Him, granting forgiveness through Islam and erasing all that came before. This makes it easier for them to enter the faith, encourages acceptance of Islam’s message, strengthens communal bonds, and inspires devotion to the Sharia. For if they knew punishment was inevitable without reprieve, they would neither repent nor embrace Islam.”
(Tafsir Ahkam Al-Qur’an, Beirut: Darul Kutub Ilmiyah, 2003, Vol. II, p. 398)
(Tafsir Ahkam Al-Qur’an, Beirut: Darul Kutub Ilmiyah, 2003, Vol. II, p. 398)
A Clean Slate
Sheikh Wahbah Zuhaili, in Tafsir Al-Munir, emphasizes the immense generosity of Allah’s grace in this verse. For disbelievers who repent and convert, Allah pardons their past—including disbelief, neglected worship, and other failings. Upon entering Islam, they are not required to make up for prior religious obligations, allowing them to begin anew with a pure and unburdened faith (Tafsir Munir, Beirut: Darul Fikr, 1991, Vol. IX, p. 323).
This principle is reinforced by a saying of the Prophet (PBUH):
“Islam erases all that came before it.”
This hadith underscores that anyone who embraces Islam receives divine forgiveness for their past, embodying Allah’s mercy and offering a chance for personal renewal in this world and the next.
Practical Implications
Imam Malik illustrates this forgiveness in legal terms: if a person divorced their spouse while still a polytheist and later converts, that divorce is nullified in Islam. Similarly, if they made an oath before converting and broke it after, they incur no sin or obligation to pay expiation (kafarah). Even major sins committed as a disbeliever—such as adultery or other crimes—are not held against them after conversion.
However, distinctions arise in certain cases. Fora disbeliever at war with Muslims, all past sins are forgiven upon entering Islam. Yet, for a disbeliever granted security in a Muslim land who commits crimes like false accusation or theft, Islamic penalties (e.g., flogging or amputation) still apply. For an apostate who returns to Islam, opinions differ: Imam Abu Hanifah and Imam Malik hold that obligations tied to Allah’s rights (e.g., missed prayers) may be forgiven, but human rights (e.g., debts) must be fulfilled. Imam Shafi’i, however, insists that both divine and human obligations remain.
Justice and Mercy in Balance
If disbelievers, given this chance to repent, instead choose to wage war against Muslims, they must be opposed. This ensures the protection of the Muslim community, preserving their ability to practice their faith in peace. Islam thus balances compassion and forgiveness with justice and order.
Imam Fakhruddin Ar-Razi, in Tafsir Mafatihul Ghaib, explains that Al-Anfal 38 presents disbelievers with a clear choice: cease disbelief, embrace Islam, and adhere to its laws, and Allah will forgive their past—including enmity toward the Prophet. But if they revert to defiance, they will face the fate of earlier nations. He writes:
“The meaning is this: If these disbelievers abandon disbelief and hostility toward the Messenger, enter Islam, and uphold its laws, Allah will forgive their prior disbelief and enmity. But if they return to it and persist, the precedent of the earlier peoples has already been established.”
(Tafsir Mafatihul Ghaib, Beirut: Darul Turats Al-Arabi, 1420 AH, Vol. XV, p. 482)
(Tafsir Mafatihul Ghaib, Beirut: Darul Turats Al-Arabi, 1420 AH, Vol. XV, p. 482)
The Precedent of the Past
The phrase sunnatul-awwalîn (“precedent of the earlier peoples”) has been interpreted in various ways. Some scholars link it to the destruction of disbelievers at Badr due to their own deceit. Others see it as Allah’s consistent decree against nations that conspired against their prophets, leading to their downfall. Thus, if the disbelievers of the Prophet’s time persisted, they would share a similar fate.
This is echoed in other Quranic verses, such as Al-Mujadalah 58:21:
“Allah has decreed: ‘I and My messengers will surely prevail.’ Indeed, Allah is All-Powerful, Almighty.”
And in As-Saffat 37:171:
“Our word has already gone forth to Our servant-messengers.”
Finally, Al-Anbiya 21:105 states:
“We have written in the Psalms, after the Reminder, that the earth will be inherited by My righteous servants.”
These verses affirm that disbelief leads to ruin, while faith brings triumph and divine support.
A Faith of Compassion and Consequence
Surah Al-Anfal, verse 38, encapsulates a core Islamic principle: Allah’s mercy and forgiveness are vast for those who repent, yet there are consequences for those who persist in disbelief and hostility. This balance reflects Islam’s essence—offering redemption to all while upholding justice for the faithful.
