In وَمَنِ اعْتَذَرَ إِلَى اللَّهِ، قَبِلَ اللَّهُ عُذْرَهُ, اعْتَذَرَ means seeking pardon or making an appeal for forgiveness. The believer acknowledges a wrong before Allah in humility. This must not be reduced to repeating words while knowingly continuing the same harm: sincere repentance involves remorse, ceasing the wrong, and a resolve to improve.
If another person’s money or rights were violated, making restitution where possible is also part of correction. Saying “forgive me” without returning stolen property does not restore the injured person’s rights.
Together, the three clauses teach careful speech, restrained emotion, and honest self-reform when one fails.