by: Masroof Manzoor
‘Al-Affu’an Arabic word, lexically meaning to pardon, is one of the 99 beautiful attributes of Allah the almighty. And whoever from humans holds this beautiful attribute, surely Allah(Swt) loves him the most.He(Swt) says in the noble Quran, “And those who bridle anger and forgive people. And Allah Loves those who do good,” (Al-Imran)
While going through the exegesis of the aforementioned verse I came to learn about an amazing anecdote about the tender act of forgiveness from the blessed life of Zain ul abidin-Son of Hazrat Hussain (RZA), reported by Imam Al-Abahiqi in the context of the same verse. The report says that once his maid was helping him make wudu(ablution) & all of a sudden, the ewer filled with water slipped out of her hands spilling water all over Hazrat Zainul Abidin and his clothes got wet. It was instinctive that he would be raged. The maid perceived the looming danger & lost no time to recite the same verse of the holy Quran. Hearing this the inviolable scion of the Prophet’s family became silent, controlled his anger & forgave her. This straightaway guides us to the trademark of a true Muslim. If raged by someone, he doesn’t become angry suddenly, losing his temper & going for redemption instead he forgives the wrongdoer.
Forgiveness is rooted in sincerity & faith, manifesting one’s strong beliefs & manners. Sparing the people who afflict or tort us is not an easy task rather it is a serious challenge against our intense emotions like antagonism, rancor & pain. That is why our Deen regards forgiveness towards others as a highly rewarding act in the sight of Allah (SWT). The more we forgive others the more Allah (Swt) will forgive our own sins. The Quran clearly points to it,” And if you forgive & overlook & pardon, then Allah is most forgiving, very merciful”(Surah Taghabun). It is also perceptible from this verse, that someone who lacks or fails to show forgiveness towards others might be missing out on an ample opportunity of Magfirah (forgiveness) from the all-merciful.
From the Prophet(Pbuh) he said this like, “Be merciful to others and you will receive mercy. Forgive others and Allah will forgive you.”(Musnad Ahmad). He (PBUH) set the best example of being forgiving to all. He showed kindness even to his enemies. During the conquest of Mecca, He displayed extreme mercy & forgiveness towards his enemies. It is reported that when his erstwhile antagonists came to the Kaaba, he said to them, No reproach upon you today, May Allah forgive you, & He is the most merciful of all the merciful.
We as Muslims must follow the Quran & the procedure of our beloved Prophet(Pbuh) & try to demonstrate the tender act of forgiveness towards all whether Muslim or non-muslim, rich or poor, older or younger. Forgiving people is an attribute that ranks high in human morals. Besides, its value is twofold in the life hereafter. The prophet(PBUH) has been reported to have said, “Anyone who likes to have lofty palaces in heaven & wishes to have his elevated should forgive the one who has done injustice to him”.
It is apt to conclude with a beautiful couplet of Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar: “Zafar aadmi us ko na jaan yai ga khawa kitna he sahib e faham wa zaka, Jisay aish mai yaad e khuda na rahi jisay taish mai khouf e khuda na rahe”.
Author is a teacher by profession
