Forgive those who wrong you

Son!  You are a Salik (a person who is traversing the path of closeness to Allah Ta’ala).  If someone wrongs or mistreats a Salik, then it is the obligation of the Salik that he (or she) should not think about revenge but should forgive that person for the sake of Allah Ta’ala.  This is not some demeaning.  Instead it creates love in the hearts of the people.

 

Translation of Hadith:  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) says:  Forgiving increases the dignity of a person.  You forgive people, Allah Ta’ala will grant you dignity.

 

Hadhrat Abu Sa‘eed (May Allah shower His mercy on him) says:  Absolute forgiveness is that no revenge is taken on the oppressor.  Instead, out of mercy for him, one supplicates for his good.

 

Hadhrat ‘Uqba bin A’amir (May Allah be well pleased with him) says:  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) held my hand and said:  Shall I not make you aware of what is best in the manners of the people of this world and in the people of the hereafter?

 

Hadhrat ‘Uqba (May Allah be well pleased with him) said:  Please tell me, o Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)!

 

He was told:  The best characteristic is you establish relations with the person who breaks off from you, that you grant to the person who deprives you and you forgive the person who wrongs you.

 

Hadhrat Mu‘awiya (May Allah be well pleased with him) says:  As long as you don’t have the capacity and chance to avenge yourself, bear and be patient.  When you get the chance, then be forgiving and benevolent.

 

Once Hadhrat Ali (May Allah be well pleased with him) called out to his slave.  He didn’t answer.  He called again.  Still no answer and neither did the slave appear before him.  When he didn’t come even after calling him a third time, Hadhrat Ali (May Allah be well pleased with him) himself angrily went to the slave.  He saw that the slave was lying.  He asked:  Why didn’t you answer?  The slave said:  Sir!  With your manners, I had no fear that you would be cross with me, that’s why I didn’t answer.  Hadhrat Ali (May Allah be well pleased with him) said:  I forgive you.  Go!  You are free for the sake of Allah!

 

Hadhrat Qatada (May Allah be well pleased with him) says:  The person of the highest status is the one who forgives mistakes the most.

 

A person abused Hadhrat Rab‘ee (May Allah shower His mercy on him) and started reviling him.  Hadhrat Rab‘ee said:  There is a valley between me and Jannah and I am busy in crossing it.  If I cross it, then your abuses will hold no sorrow for me and if I cannot cross it, then your abusing me is correct.  Go!  I forgive you for the sake of Allah!

 

Translation of Hadith: The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  The person who forgives the mistake of a believing brother, Allah Ta’ala forgives all the sins of that person.

 

Do you see?  This is the excellence of forgiveness.  So, forgive others’ mistakes.  Don’t ever think of revenge.  Because of this, the improved condition of the heart is impaired.

[Excerpted from Mawaaiz-e-Hasana, Vol. 1, 264]