(O Prophet, Say unto those captives who are in your hands) i.e. 'Abbas [Ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib]: If Allah knoweth any good) faith and sincerity (in your hearts He will give you better than that which hath been taken from you) of ransom, (and will forgive you) the sins you committed in the pre-Islamic period. (Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful) towards he who believes in Him.