|
Listen while working
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Verily, among the best of you are those with the best character (Sahih Bukhari:3366)
We live in a complicated world, where we cannot control the behavior of people around us. This unjust behavior might be intentional or unintentional, driven by circumstances, greed, jealousy, or callousness, yet they might leave us in a sorrow state.
These rude behaviors leave us with two options, either we can choose to continue acting with integrity and kindness or become an equivalent. Islam has always commanded us to exercise patience, suppress our anger and be kind to people even in worst of the situations. Repeatedly in Quran the importance of forgiveness is expressed;
وَإِنْ عَاقَبْتُمْ فَعَاقِبُوا بِمِثْلِ مَا عُوقِبْتُم بِهِ وَلَئِن صَبَرْتُمْ لَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لِّلصَّابِرِينَ
And if you retaliate, then retaliate with the like of what you were afflicted with [it]. But if you are patient, surely (it) is better for those who are patient. (Al Quran An-Nahl 16:126)
وَجَزَاءُ سَيِّئَةٍ سَيِّئَةٌ مِثْلُهَا ۖ فَمَنْ عَفَا وَأَصْلَحَ فَأَجْرُهُ عَلَى اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الظَّالِمِينَ
The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree): but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation His reward is due from Allah: for (Allah) loveth not those who do wrong. (Al Quran Ash-Shura 42:40)
وَمَا خَلَقْنَا السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ ۗ وَإِنَّ السَّاعَةَ لَآتِيَةٌ ۖ فَاصْفَحِ الصَّفْحَ الْجَمِيلَ
We created not the heavens the earth and all between them but for just ends. And the Hour is surely coming (when this will be manifest). So overlook (any human faults) with gracious forgiveness. (Al Quran Al Hijr 15:85)
ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ فِى ٱلسَّرَّآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ وَٱلْكَٰظِمِينَ ٱلْغَيْظَ وَٱلْعَافِينَ عَنِ ٱلنَّاسِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ
Who spend [in the cause of Allah] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people – and Allah loves the doers of good (Al Quran Aal-Imran 3:134)
The Islamic law is enforced to keep a close watch on people who intend to harm others, it gives the right to take revenge of an equal magnitude, however, it always gives a chance for forgiveness or Qisas (A mutually agreed sum of money or equivalent) in order to settle the issues between the two parties.
وَلَكُمۡ فِي ٱلۡقِصَاصِ حَيَوٰةٞ يَٰٓأُوْلِي ٱلۡأَلۡبَٰبِ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ
And there is for you in legal retribution [saving of] life, O you [people] of understanding, that you may become righteous. (Al Quran Al Baqarah 2:179)
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ consistently chose forgiveness over retribution. His ﷺ behavior is the preeminent illustration of forgiveness and kindness. From the time of proclamation of prophethood till the capture of Mecca, he and his companions were repeatedly victimized with crimes often vile and demeaning, yet He ﷺ consistently forgave the worst of the enemies.
Definitely it is not easy for everyone to forgive and forget all the injustice done by others, yet knowing we have the right to take revenge, and then forgiving is the highest among human beings.
Photo by Ahmed Aqtai from Pexels
