Hadith #10661

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مَنْ عاقَبَ المُذْنِبَ فَسَدَ فَضْلُهُ۔

This Hadith can be translated as,

One who punishes the guilty [instead of forgiving him], his merit [and kindness] gets corrupted.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, let us delve into the key words and their significance. The word (aaqaba) "عاقَبَ" means to punish or seek retribution. (almudhnib) "المُذْنِبَ" refers to the guilty or the sinner. (fasada) "فَسَدَ" means to corrupt or spoil, while (fadluhu) "فَضْلُهُ" refers to one's merit, virtue, or kindness.

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and mercy in Islam. It highlights that when one chooses to punish the guilty instead of forgiving them, their own merit and kindness become corrupted. This corruption can manifest in various ways, such as the erosion of one's moral character, the loss of blessings and rewards from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), and the deterioration of relationships within society.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that support the exegesis of this Hadith. In Surah Al-Imran (3:134), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

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

This verse emphasizes the importance of restraining anger and pardoning others, which aligns with the message of Imam Ali's Hadith.

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

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

This verse encourages Muslims to forgive and overlook the faults of others, reminding us that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is the Most Forgiving and Merciful.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder of the importance of forgiveness and mercy in our daily lives. When we choose to forgive instead of seeking retribution, we uphold the values of Islam and preserve our own virtues. Forgiveness allows us to maintain harmonious relationships, promote peace within society, and seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

By forgiving others, we also open the door for Allah's forgiveness and mercy upon ourselves. Just as we hope for Allah's forgiveness, we should extend the same mercy to others. This Hadith encourages us to reflect on our own actions and motivations when dealing with those who have wronged us. It urges us to prioritize forgiveness and kindness, as these qualities are integral to our spiritual growth and the betterment of society.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith reminds us of the significance of forgiveness and mercy in Islam. It teaches us that choosing to punish the guilty instead of forgiving them can corrupt our own virtues and blessings. By forgiving others, we uphold the values of Islam, strengthen our relationships, and seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to forgive and show mercy to others, and may He shower His blessings upon us all.