Will the Messenger Be Punished by God or Not? (48:2), (6:15)

48:2 promises that all of the messenger's sins are forgiven. 6:15 has the messenger expressing fear of punishment. The claim is that these two verses contradict each other.

The false claim: 48:2 grants the messenger full forgiveness with nothing to fear, while 6:15 has him fearing punishment - a direct contradiction.

The apparent contradiction dissolves once the condition attached to God's promise in 48:2 is understood. The promise is not unconditional.

4:48 establishes the one sin God does not forgive:

[4:48] GOD does not forgive idolatry, but He forgives lesser offenses for whomever He wills. Anyone who sets up idols beside GOD, has forged a horrendous offense.

Shirk stands outside the scope of general forgiveness. This applies to everyone - including the prophet. 39:65 makes this unmistakably clear:

[39:65] It has been revealed to you, and to those before you, that if you ever commit shirk, all your works will be nullified, and you will be with the losers.

God's promise in 48:2 that Muhammad's past and future sins would be forgiven therefore covers all sins except shirk. The forgiveness is real and comprehensive - but it operates within the same boundaries that apply to every human being. No one receives a blanket exemption from the consequence of associating partners with God, not even the prophet to whom the promise was made.

This is why 6:14-15 presents no contradiction:

[6:14-15] Say, "Shall I take as a Lord anything other than GOD, the Initiator of the heavens and the earth, and He feeds but is not fed?" Say, "I am commanded to be the most devoted submitter, and, 'Do not be an idol worshiper.' " Say, "I fear, if I disobeyed my Lord, the retribution of a tremendous day."

The prophet is commanded to submit and warned against shirk. His fear of punishment is the fear appropriate to any servant of God who understands what is at stake. The promise of forgiveness in 48:2 covers his human failings and shortcomings. It does not cover the one category of sin that God explicitly places outside the scope of forgiveness for all people without exception.

The two verses speak to different categories of sin. There is no contradiction between them.