he signs of the believer are to forgive others and to seek forgiveness for Allah Almighty. Islam urges Muslims to forgive others and seek forgiveness from Allah Almighty. After sinning or being wronged by others, a heart of the believer feels heavy sin and pain of injustice. Islam always urges him not to despair of Allah’s mercy. Rather he should positively make a way to forgiving and seeking forgiveness.
Forgive Those Who Have Been Wrong With You
It may be hard to subdue anger and forgive those who have disheartened or severely wronged you. But if you are a believer or a Muslim, this could be easy for you to do so, because the habit of forgiving others strengthens your spiritual relationships with Allah, the Forgiving One and your heart is then in peace with the sense of your delight in the Lord Almighty.
Allah Almighty says,”The upright are the ones who subdues anger and forgive people. And Allah loves those who do good…” (3:134).
This is the hallmark of a righteous Muslim that he, if wronged by others, does not get angry or lose control of himself. In contrast, from the depths of his heart he forgives the wrongdoers. He does not stop at this moral achievement by doing good to those who have caused him pain.
Allah Almighty asks the Prophet (peace be upon him) to “Hold to forgiveness” (7:199).
The divine command ‘hold to forgiveness’ does not only give peace to our beloved Master Muhammad, but also appeals to all. The word ‘hold to forgiveness’ means make forgiveness a habit, and a part of your own nature. Anyone with a forgiving nature will receive the Forgiving Name of Allah.
The prophet ( peace be upon him), when this verse was revealed, reportedly asked Archangel Gabriel what was meant, and after consulting God the Almighty, the angel stated that it meant that you would “continue to maintain relations with someone who would cut himself from you, give to those whom you have retained and forgive the one who is wrong with you” (Tafsir-e-Razi, Tabari, Zamakhshari etc).
Allah Almighty says, “And the good deed and the evil deed will never be equal; O listener! Repel the evil deed with a good one, thereupon the one between whom and you was enmity, will become like a close friend”(41:34)
Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Abbas said, when reflecting on this verse (41:34), that one should remain patient at the time of anger and, if others treat you unjustly, then forgive them. When you do this, Allah will guard you and your enemy will be humbled as if he were a special, close friend. (Sahih al-Bukhari)
Allah Almighty promises, “If a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah.” (Surah Shura 40)
There are many other verses, including religious opponents, which are tolerant of patience, forgiveness and tolerance of others. The verses 2:109, 3:159, 24:22, 5:13, 23:96, 41:34-35, 45:14 and 64:14 can also be adequately studied in this regard.
Forgiving people their mistakes is a characteristic quality that ranks very high in a believer’s morals in the world, and higher on the Day of Resurrection.”On the Day of Resurrection, a proclamation will go forth from Allah Almighty asking if anyone had any rights due to Him. If so, let him stand.The ones who rise on that occasion will be those who forgive their people’s injustices in their life on earth”.
In another hadith it said, “We must forgive the person who has done injustice and present gift to someone who has never given him anything and join the person who has cut off relations with him,” whomever wants to reach the Paradise rank and raising his ranks.
Seeking Forgiveness from Allah Almighty
A way to come closer to Allah and to enter into His Love is to seek forgiveness. It is a process of life change and a way back to the original state of purity and innocence. This act is pleasing to the Allah Almighty, cleansing our hearts and saving us from difficulties and trials.
Allah reminded us of repentance and forgiveness again and again in the Quran. He Almighty says for example: “Will they not confess to Allah and ask His forgiveness? For Allah is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (5:74). “Verily, He is the one who forgives (accepts repentance), the most Merciful” (2:37).”Except those who repent and do righteous deeds and announce publicly ((the truth which they concealed). I accept their repentance. And I am the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful.” (2:160).
The seeking for forgiveness has a profound effect on repulsion, sadness and grief. People of wisdom on this point because sins and mistakes cause grief, misery, pain and heart problems. The only way to remedy the effects of sin is to seek forgiveness and sincerely repent to Allah Almighty.
A regular Columnist with NewAgeIslam.com, Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi Dehlvi is an Alim and Fazil (Classical Islamic scholar), with a Sufi-Sunni background and English-Arabic-Urdu Translator. He has also done B.A (Hons.) in Arabic, M.A. in Arabic and M.A in English from JMI, New Delhi. He is Interested in Islamic Sciences; Theology, Jurisprudence, Tafsir, Hadith and Islamic mysticism (Tasawwuf).