Epigraph
“Let them pardon and overlook. Do you not love that Allah should forgive you?” (Qur’an 24:22)
⏱ Estimated Reading Time: 6–7
minutes
Forgiveness is one of the most powerful moral qualities
taught in Islam. It is not merely kindness toward others—it is a path to
earning the mercy of Allah.
Human beings naturally feel hurt, anger, and resentment when
wronged. Yet the Qur’an calls believers to rise above these emotions. True
strength lies not in retaliation, but in restraint and mercy. A profound reminder appears in the
Qur’an:
“Let them pardon and overlook. Do you not love that Allah
should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (Qur’an 24:22)
This verse asks a deeply personal question. Every person
hopes for Allah’s forgiveness. The Qur’an therefore, links our willingness to
forgive others with our desire to be forgiven.
A Living Example of Forgiveness
This verse was revealed during the painful Incident of Ifk,
when false accusations were made against Aisha (RA), the wife of the Prophet. Among those involved was
Mistah ibn Uthatha, a poor relative of Abu Bakr (RA), who used to support him
financially. Hurt by Mistah’s actions, Abu Bakr (RA) vowed to stop helping him.
At that moment, this verse was revealed. Upon hearing it, Abu Bakr (RA)
immediately said: “By Allah, I
love that Allah should forgive me.” He
resumed supporting Mistah, showing remarkable moral strength.
Forgiveness Requires Strength
The Qur’an acknowledges that forgiveness is difficult. When
harmed, the natural response is retaliation. Yet believers are called to
something higher:
“Whoever pardons and reconciles, his reward is with
Allah.” (Qur’an 42:40)
“Those who restrain anger and forgive people—Allah loves
those who do good.” (Qur’an 3:134)
The Prophet further elevated this principle when he said: “Charity does not decrease wealth, no
one forgives another except that Allah increases him in honour, and no one
humbles himself for the sake of Allah except that Allah raises him in status.” Narrated by Abu Huraira, Sahih
Muslim (Hadith 2588)
This Hadith beautifully reinforces that forgiveness does not
diminish a person—it elevates them. What may feel like loss in the moment
becomes honour in the sight of Allah.
Forgiveness demands humility, self-control, and awareness of
Allah. It is not weakness—it is strength over one’s ego. More importantly, it
purifies the heart and draws a person closer to divine mercy.
The Prophet’s Supreme Example
For over twenty years, the Prophet and his companions faced
persecution in Makkah—mockery, torture, exile, and loss. When he finally returned victorious, his former persecutors
stood before him, expecting retribution. Instead,
he said: “No blame will there be
upon you today. Go, for you are free.”
These words echoed the statement of Prophet Yusuf (AS):
“No blame will there be upon you today. Allah will
forgive you.” (Qur’an 12:92)
This was forgiveness at its highest level—pardoning those
who had caused immense suffering.
Forgiveness and the Last Days of Ramadan
As Ramadan enters its final days, the call to forgiveness
becomes even more profound. These
nights are not only for prayer—they are for seeking Allah’s mercy. Among them
lies Laylat al-Qadr:
“The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.”
(Qur’an 97:3)
Believers turn to Allah, asking for forgiveness. But Ramadan
also teaches us to forgive others. Holding
onto resentment while seeking divine mercy creates a contradiction within the
heart. The Qur’an reminds us
again:
“Let them pardon and overlook. Do you not love that Allah
should forgive you?” (Qur’an 24:22)
A Final Reflection
The last nights of Ramadan are a time of deep
purification—not only through worship, but through letting go of grudges. When we forgive others, we align
ourselves with the mercy we seek from Allah. And the Qur’an leaves us with a timeless question:
Do we not wish to
be forgiven by Allah?
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