By Asma bint Shameem
Forgiving others is one of the most *beloved* deeds to Allaah.
We’re encouraged to forgive others and overlook their shortcomings.
Allaah says:
“And whoever is patient and forgives - indeed, that is of the matters [requiring] determination” (Surah ash-Shoora:43)
And He said:
“But if you pardon and overlook and forgive - then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful”
(Surah at-Taghaabun :14)
Forgiving others is a characteristic of the people of Jannah.
Allaah tells us who they are:
“Those who spend [in Allaah's Cause - deeds of charity] in prosperity and in adversity, *who repress anger, and who pardon people*; verily, Allaah loves Al-Muhsinun (the good-doers).”
(Surah Aal-Imraan:134)
Al-Hassan al-Basri was making duaa one night saying:
“Oh Allaah forgive whomsoever oppressed me”… and he kept saying that.
So a man said to him:
“Oh Abaa Sa'eed, indeed I heard you supplicating this night for the ones who oppressed you, *until I wished to be amongst them.*
What led you to do this?”
He said:
“His saying, the Most High: “*…but whoever forgives* *and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allaah.*”
[Surah Ash-Shura 42:40]
[Explanation of al-Bukhaari by Ibn Battaal 6/575]
If you forgive others, Allaah will forgive YOU
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
“There is no man who suffers an injury to his body, then he forgives [the one who caused it] as an act of charity, but Allaah will *absolve his sins commensurate with the extent of his charity*.”
[Ahmad (21643); saheeh by al-Albaani in as-Saheehah (2273)]
Forgive others and Allaah will RAISE your status
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
“There are three things concerning which, by the One in Whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, I would certainly swear an oath:
a) wealth does not decrease because of charity, so give charity;
b)* no man pardons another for some mistreatment, seeking thereby the pleasure of Allaah, but Allaah will raise him in status thereby;*
c) and no one asks of people but Allaah will increase him in poverty.”
[Ahmad (1584); saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh at-Targheeb (2426)]
Forgive others and Allaah will LOVE you!
What more could a person want?
Allaah says in a Hadeeth Qudsi:
“My love is due for those who love one another for My sake;
My love is due for those who visit one another for My sake;
My love is due for those who help one another for My sake;
My love is due for those whose hearts are *FREE of grudges* and who uphold ties with one another for My sake.’”
(saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami‘)
Isn’t that amazing?
I know it’s not easy.
But if you want to be among the people of Jannah, then you MUST find it in your heart to forgive.
And if you will do so, then expect its rewards from Allaah.
Forgiveness is not something we do for anyone else;
rather it’s something we do for our OWN selves so we can move on.
We forgive, not because that person ‘deserves’ it, but because *“we”* deserve peace.
By forgiving others we LIBERATE our hearts and our lives.
And it doesn’t matter if they ask you for forgiveness or not.
Be the BIGGER person and forgive them for the sake of Allaah.
Forgive them BEFORE they ask for forgiveness.
After all, don’t WE want Allaah to forgive US?
Allaah says:
“Let them pardon and forgive. *Do you not love that Allaah should forgive you?*And Allaah is Forgiving, Merciful."
(Surah Noor: 22)
Keep in mind, NO ONE is perfect and *neither are we*.
Ibn Al-Qayyim said:
“Whoever wrongs you and then comes in order to apologise, then you should accept his apology out of humbleness and leave his intention up to Allaah, Exalted is He.”
[Tahdheeb Al-Madaarij 2/687]
So forgive and move on.
It’s easier said then done.
But isn’t the Mercy of Allaah, His Love and Forgiveness worth it?!
“but whoever pardons and makes reconciliation - his reward is [due] from Allaah” (Surah ash-Shoora :40)
May Allaah enable us to forgive others and earn the forgiveness of our Rabb in return. Ameen
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