The Prophet’s Emphasis on Forgiveness
📖Sunan Abi Dawud 4497
Narrated Anas ibn Malik: “I never saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ when a dispute involving retaliation (qisās) was brought to him, except that he would command forgiveness and remission.”
This hadith reveals the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ’s consistent attitude when dealing with cases where someone had the legal right to seek retaliation. Even when someone was harmed and Islamic law allowed equal retribution, the Prophet ﷺ encouraged the higher path — to forgive, pardon, and seek reward from Allah. It wasn’t about denying justice, but about promoting something greater than justice: mercy.
What We Learn Today:
- Forgiveness is Greater Than Fairness:
Islam allows retaliation in justice, but the Prophet ﷺ showed that forgiving others leads to spiritual growth and social peace. - Restoring Relationships Over Fueling Hatred:
Retaliation can escalate conflict. Remission, on the other hand, opens doors for healing, understanding, and reconciliation. - Prophetic Leadership Promotes Mercy:
The Prophet ﷺ wasn’t just a judge; he was a moral reformer. He taught that the strongest among us are not those who take revenge, but those who forgive when they have the power to retaliate. - Encouragement for the Ummah:
The hadith inspires Muslims today to prefer reconciliation over vengeance, even in legal disputes, for the sake of a more merciful society.
Quranic Context:
📖Quran 5:45
And We ordained for them therein: a life for a life, an eye for an eye… But whoever gives up [his right] as charity, it will be an expiation for him. And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed, then it is those who are the wrongdoers.
Forgiveness is an option in Islamic law, and it’s a form of charity rewarded by Allah.
📖Quran 42:40
The penalty for an evil act is an evil one like it, but whoever pardons and makes reconciliation, his reward is with Allah. Indeed, He does not like the wrongdoers.
Justice is allowed, but choosing mercy earns divine reward.
📖Quran 24:22
Let them pardon and overlook. Do you not love that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
If you seek Allah’s forgiveness, practice it with others.