Hadith #6901

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "أقِلْ تُقَلْ۔" This simple yet impactful Hadith can be translated as

Pardon and you will be pardoned.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (Aqil) "أقِلْ" in Arabic means to pardon, forgive, or overlook the faults and mistakes of others. It is an act of showing mercy and compassion towards those who have wronged us. The word (Tuqal) "تُقَلْ" is derived from the root word (Qalla) "قَلَّ", which means to be pardoned or forgiven. It signifies that by pardoning others, we will also be pardoned by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

The Quran emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and pardoning others in numerous verses. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran (3:134),

Who spend [in the cause of Allah] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people - and Allah loves the doers of good.

This verse highlights that those who pardon others are loved by Allah and are considered to be doers of good.

Furthermore, in Surah An-Nur (24:22), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

This verse clearly indicates that by pardoning others, we increase our chances of receiving forgiveness from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder for us to adopt a forgiving and merciful attitude towards others. When someone wrongs us, it is natural to feel anger and resentment. However, by choosing to pardon and forgive, we rise above our base instincts and emulate the noble qualities of the Prophets and the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ).

Pardoning others has numerous benefits. Firstly, it promotes harmony and unity within the Muslim community. When we forgive others, we foster an environment of compassion and understanding. This leads to stronger bonds between individuals and a more cohesive society.

Secondly, pardoning others is a means of purifying our own souls. By letting go of grudges and resentment, we free ourselves from the burden of negative emotions. This allows us to focus on our own spiritual growth and development.

Thirdly, pardoning others is a reflection of our faith in Allah's mercy and forgiveness. When we forgive others, we demonstrate our trust in Allah's ability to judge and rectify all matters. We acknowledge that ultimate justice lies in His hands and that He will reward our patience and forgiveness.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was known for his immense knowledge and wisdom. His statement,

Pardon and you will be pardoned,

encapsulates his deep understanding of the Quranic teachings and his ability to apply them in practical life. He exemplified forgiveness in his own actions, even towards those who wronged him.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of pardoning others. By forgiving those who have wronged us, we not only promote unity and harmony within the Muslim community but also purify our own souls and demonstrate our faith in Allah's mercy. Let us strive to embody this noble quality and follow in the footsteps of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and the righteous believers who came before us. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and wisdom to pardon others and seek His forgiveness.