Reflection on Eid al-Fitr 1447 H: Forgiveness is a Glory

Excuse me. A simple word, yet it carries a weight that can lift mountains or even destroy. It's a bridge between a broken heart and a balm for a gaping wound. In the hustle and bustle of life, we often encounter mistakes, both our own and those made by others toward us.

It is there, at the intersection of pain and the desire for reconciliation, that Islamic teachings present the stunning beauty of forgiveness. Let us take a moment to explore the ocean of the Quran and Hadith, delving into the pearls of forgiveness that often escape our contemplation.

The Qur'an, as a guide to life, not only talks about laws and rituals, but also about how to manage the most private space in humans: their hearts. Allah commands us to make forgiveness our main moral adornment. In Surah Al-A'raf, Allah said to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and of course to all of us as his people:

God bless you الْجَاهِلِينَ

“"Be forgiving and command people to do what is wise, and turn away from stupid people..” (QS. Al-A'raf: 199)

Imam Al-Qurthubi in his interpretation explains that this verse is one of the verses that summarizes the entire meaning of noble morals. Al-'Afwu here does not just forgive when asked, but takes an attitude of forgiving easily as a character. It is an attitude of giving concessions, not demanding revenge for mistakes, and cleansing the heart from the stain of revenge.

This verse was revealed in Mecca, a time when the oppression and ignorance of the polytheists were excruciating. Yet, Allah taught us one of the most powerful weapons: forgiving morals. This attitude ultimately softened hardened hearts and became an unparalleled force for da'wah.

Deeper still, Allah not only commands us to forgive, but also links it to a great reward from Him. Forgiveness is a very beloved quality, even Allah Himself has a name for it. Al-'Afuww (The All-Forgiving). In the context of human relations, Islam offers a higher level than mere justice. For if everyone insisted solely on justice, the door to forgiveness would be firmly closed. Allah says:

وَجَزَاءُ سَيِّئَةٍ سَيِّئَةٌ مِّثْلُهَا ۖ فَمَنْ عَفا وَأَصْلَحَ فَأَجْرُهُ عَلَى اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الظَّالِمِينَ

“"And the reward for an evil is an appropriate evil, but whoever forgives and does good (to someone who does evil) then his reward is (borne by) Allah. Indeed, He does not like unjust people."” (QS. Asy-Shura: 40)

Consider the phrase "the reward is at the hands of Allah." This is a truly sublime phrase. Shaykh As-Sa'di, in his commentary, states that this is a tremendous incentive to forgive. When a servant forgives for the sake of Allah, Allah Himself guarantees an immeasurable reward, surpassing any justice he could ever demand in this world. Forgiveness does not mean defeat, but rather makes Allah a witness and a rewarder of the nobility of one's heart.

Often, we are faced with more complex situations, where the hurt comes from those closest to us, perhaps even from those who have wronged us in the past. Faith demands that we not dwell on bitter memories. Allah commands us to have an extraordinary forbearance, as enshrined in the Quran:

وَلَا يَأْتَلِ أُولُو الْفَضْلِ مِنكُمْ وَالسَّعَةِ أَن يُؤْتُوا أُولِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينَ وَالْمُهَاجِرِينَ فِي God bless you God willing رَّحِيمٌ

“"And let not those who have advantages and spaciousness among you swear that they (will not) give (help) to (their) relatives, the poor and those who migrate in the way of Allah. And let them forgive and be merciful. Don't you want that Allah will forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving, Most Merciful."” (QS. An-Nur: 22)

This verse was revealed in connection with Sayyidina Abu Bakr Ash-Siddiq's vow to no longer provide for his relative, Masthah, because he was involved in a major slander against his daughter, Aisha. However, Allah revealed this verse, commanding the Muslim leader to forgive.

The culmination of this verse is a very touching rhetorical question: Alā tuḥibbūna ay yaghfirallāhu lakum? “Wouldn’t you like it if Allah would forgive you?” A question whose answer is definitely, “Of course, we really want Your forgiveness, O Allah.” So, if we want to be forgiven by the One Who is Most Forgiving, shouldn’t we also be forgiving towards others?

This teaching doesn't stop there. Even in times of anger, Islam teaches a noble way out. The characteristic of a pious person is not one who never gets angry, but one who can control their anger and, ultimately, forgive. Allah says:

الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ فِي السَِ وَالْكَاظِمِينَ الْغَيْظَ وَالْعَافِينَ عَنِ النَّاسِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

“(Namely) those who spend (in charity), in times of ease and hardship, and those who restrain their anger and pardon people. Allah loves those who do good.”"” (QS. Ali Imran: 134)

Ibnu Kathir explained that after mentioning the quality of holding back anger, Allah mentioned the quality of forgiveness, which is of a higher degree. Holding back anger is a preventive action, while forgiveness is a curative action that cleanses the heart of the remnants of anger. This is the peak of ihsan (virtue) in muamalah.

Imitating Rasulullah ﷺ is the real implementation of all these verses. He is the most forgiving human being. In a hadith narrated by Imam Ahmad, Aisyah radhiyallahu 'anha tells of his morals:

مَا خُيِّرَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ بَيْنَ أَمْرَيْنِ إِلَّا اخْتَارَ God willing كَانَ may Allah bless him and give him peace and blessings لِنَفْسِهِ فِي شَيْءٍ قَطُّ، إِلَّا أَنْ تُنْتَهَكَ حُرْمَةُ God فَيَنْتَقِمَ للهِ بِهَا

“"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was not given a choice between two things, but he chose the easiest one, as long as it did not contain sin. If it contained sin, he was the person furthest away from it. And the Messenger of Allah ﷺ did not avenge (crime) for himself at all, unless Allah's honor was violated, then he would repay for the sake of Allah."”

This hadith is living proof that forgiveness in personal matters is the way of the Prophets. His humanity was never tarnished by personal grudges. How many people hurt him, throwing stones at him? Taif, accused him of being a magician and mad, but when the door of victory opened in Fathu Makkah, he actually said to the Quraysh who had been oppressive, "Go, you are all free." This is the peak of the implementation of al-'afwu taught in the Koran.

Furthermore, the Prophet ﷺ promised double glory for those who forgive. He said in a hadith narrated by Muslim:

وَمَا زَادَ اللهُ عَبْدًا بِعَفْوٍ إِلَّا عِزًّا

“"And Allah does not increase a servant by his forgiveness, but glory (in this world and the hereafter)."”

Logically, a person who forgives might be considered weak and humiliated. However, this saying of the Prophet reverses that logic. By forgiving, Allah actually places a crown of glory on the heart of His servant. Their heart becomes calm, open, and filled with confidence because they have relied on Allah, not on human reactions.

In another very famous hadith, Rasulullah ﷺ said:

God bless you عَلَيْهِنَّ: مَا نَقَصَ مَالٌ مِنْ صَدَقَةٍ، فَتَصَدَّقُوا، وَلَا عَفَا God willing, God willing, God willing, God willing, God willing God bless you مَسْأَلَةٍ إِلَّا فَتَحَ اللهُ or

“"By the One in Whose Hand my soul is, I swear three things: (1) Charity does not reduce wealth, so give charity. (2) No man forgives an injustice done to him, but Allah will increase his glory on the Day of Resurrection. (3) And no one opens the door of begging for himself, but Allah will open the door of poverty for him."” (HR. Ahmad, authenticated by Al-Albani)

Injustice is a heavy burden. But when we forgive, Allah will transform that burden into the pinnacle of glory on the Day of Reckoning. While everyone else is busy with their own affairs, the forgiving person will be called to glory because they have exemplified Allah's attributes.

Often, forgiveness feels so hard to say. Ego grips us, pride shackles us. We feel that by forgiving, we're giving up our rights. Yet, if we reflect, forgiveness is the greatest form of liberation. It frees us from the prison of the past, from the shackles of resentment that only burn our own hearts. The fire of resentment will never burn the person we hate, but it will consume our inner peace.

The Quran and Hadith teach us that forgiveness is the highest investment. It is an act whose reward goes directly to Allah. It is the path to Allah's forgiveness. It is the source of true glory.

So, let's look at our hearts. Is there a narrow space there that we can still lock tightly for someone? Are there old wounds that we deliberately let fester because we are not willing to let them go? Today, maybe it's time to open the window of that heart. Not because that person deserves forgiveness, but because we deserve to live in peace.

Forgive me, surely Allah will broaden our path in life, glorify us, and in the end, forgive us. Because, the most beautiful forgiveness is that which is born from sincerity, and the most beautiful life is when the heart is clean from all stains.

Please accept my sincere apologies….

Wallahua'lam bish shawaab.