What is the difference between forgiveness and pardon? In the night prayer, it is recommended to seek forgiveness seventy times and to say pardon three hundred times. What is the difference between them?
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Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.
First, we apologize for the delay in answering your questions, which is due to some issues that have been addressed, thanks to God.
Firstly: Regarding the night prayer, the difference is clear. The first refers to saying: 'I seek forgiveness from Allah, my Lord, and I turn to Him,' while in the second, you say: 'pardon.' This distinction is evident and it seems that this is not what you intended to ask about.
Secondly: The difference between them in terms of outcome, language, or intent becomes clear when we refer to God's saying: 'And if you pardon and overlook and forgive, then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.' (Quran 24:22)
According to Al-Raghib, 'pardon' means the intention to take something, as in 'I pardoned him' or 'I sought his pardon,' meaning I aimed to remove his sin from him. He also said that 'overlooking' is leaving blame, which is more profound than pardon. Therefore, it was said: 'So pardon and overlook until Allah brings about His command.' (Quran 2:109) A person may pardon without overlooking. He said: 'So overlook them and say, 'Peace.' (Quran 43:89)
As for 'forgiveness': it means to cover what protects from disgrace. Hence, it is said: 'Forgive your garment in the container,' and 'dye your garment, for it is more forgiving of dirt.' Forgiveness and pardon from Allah mean that He protects the servant from being touched by punishment. Allah says: 'Grant us Your forgiveness, our Lord.' (Quran 2:285) and 'And forgiveness from your Lord.' (Quran 3:133) and 'And who forgives sins except Allah?' (Quran 3:135)
May you be successful in all good.
Source: Tafsir Al-Mizan - Sayyid Tabatabai - Vol. 19 - Page 307