So do 'affuw on us. And forgive us. And have mercy on us. [Baqarah 2:286]

There's a beautiful du'a that Allah mentions near the end of Surah Baqarah:

وَاعْفُ عَنَّا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا   

Translation: So do 'affuw on us. And forgive us. And have mercy on us. [Baqarah 2:286]

Allah mentions three things, in order:

1. 'Affuw 'annaa: Affuw linguistically means to erase something; to obliterate something; to completely destroy something and leave no traces of it whatsoever. This du'a is saying: make affuw of our sins. Remove them completely.
2. Waghfir lanaa: Ghafira linguistically means to protect--that's why a helmet is called a mighfaar. Read up about Allah's two names: Al-Ghafuwr and Al-Ghaffaar. Here, the du'a is saying: and if you do not 'affuw our sins, forgive us, and protect us from the consequences of them.
3. Warham naa: Rahmah is mercy; Allah has two names related to this quality--Ar-Rahman and Ar-Raheem. Here, the du'a is saying: and if you do not even forgive our sins, then have mercy on us! Subhanallah!

What an amazing du'a! Do affuw of our sins; and if not, forgive us and protect us from their effects; and if not, have mercy on us!

THAT'S your Lord!

http://www.ilmfruits.com/forgiveness...r-forgiveness/