When someone hurts us, we humans naturally tend to teach them a lesson, rather than forgive them. We love to give someone what they deserve. Or worse, we want to pay them back the double amount of what they did to us. Learning a lesson has become a norm these days, and out of anger we are willing to do anything that will help us overcome our ego.
Allah stated:
Verily, Qiyamah is approaching, so forgive (those who wrong you) with the most merciful forgiveness (without vengeance). ~ Quran 15:85
Contents
Forgiveness and justice
When we read The Qur’an, justice occurs about 30 times, while “forgiving” or “forgiveness” occurs three times more than justice. Here are two examples:
Forgiveness: Allah says in the Qur’an 64:14: “O you who believe! Verily, among your wives and your children there are enemies to you (i.e., who can prevent you from obedience to Allah), so beware of them! But if you forgive them and forgive their faults, then surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
Justice: Allah says in the Qur’an 5:8, “Let not the hatred of men prevent you from being just. Be just.” Elsewhere in the Qur’an it says: “Allah loves those who act justly.” ~ Quran 49:9
A detailed study of the Qur’an and the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) indicates that it is very important for Muslims to forgive (one of the core tenets of Islam) and not demand justice. In fact, we always seek justice from the system/people, without realizing that forgiveness is also an option, and it is a simple option.
The Prophet and Forgiveness
When the Prophet (PBUH) was 40 years old he started receiving divine revelations from Allah and was instructed to let the people know the message of Islam. For the next 13 years in Makkah he was tortured, harmed, cursed, spat upon; stones, mud and dirt were thrown on his face and body; the people of Makkah killed his companions (just because they accepted Islam); Meccans boycotted the Prophet (PBUH), his family and companions in the harsh desert for 3 years – his daughters were divorced, a woman was tortured and a spear was thrust into her private parts in front of her family and companions.
The Prophet (PBUH) was expelled from Makkah and as a result he went to Medina, The Prophet (PBUH) saw the death of all his children except one, and his enemies slaughtered his dear uncle. All this during the conquest of Makkah when The Prophet (PBUH) marched with 10,000 Companions, despite being in the position of authority, He (PBUH) forgave everyone in Makkah who had harmed him, his family and his Companions for about 21 years. Can we imagine this?
Examples
Also consider the following two scenarios:
Scenario 1: If we always crave for justice in this world, Allah can follow our approach about ourselves on the day of Qiyamah. He will do justice according to the deeds we bring to Him. And since we will have tons of evil deeds, based on the principle of justice, we can never enter Jannah.
Scenario 2: If we are merciful and we forgive other people, Allah will also be merciful to us and forgive us. He will meet us on the day of Qiyamah. THAT makes it very easy for us to enter Jannah by the mercy of Allah.
Some Quranic verses and teachings of the Prophet (PBUH) about forgiveness
The Prophet (PBUH) said,
Allah will not be merciful to those who are not merciful to mankind ~ Bukhari 7376
Allah stated:
A kind word and forgiveness is better than charity followed by hurt ~ Quran 2:263
Allah stated:
The believers are brothers. So reconcile between your brothers and fear Allah, that mercy may be obtained for you. ~ Quran 49:10
Allah stated:
Those who subdue their anger and forgive the people, verily Allah loves the good-doers.
Allah stated:
Accept forgiveness, teach what is right, and ignore the foolish. ~ Quran 7:199
Conclusion
Let’s not forget that the inability to forgive affects us spiritually and psychologically, as well as having a detrimental effect on our health. One study found that people who focused on a personal grudge had increased blood pressure and heart rate, as well as increased muscle tension and a feeling of having less control. The participants in this study were asked to imagine forgiving their wrongdoers, and they said they felt more positive and relaxed, and the changes disappeared.
Allah stated:
Let them forgive and forgive. Do you not like that Allah forgives you? And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. ~ Quran 24:22
May Allah give us the strength to forgive others for their mistakes, and to forgive us for our own mistakes. Ameen.
