Hadith #6926

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 progeny, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Lack of forgiveness is the ugliest of flaws and rushing to exact revenge is the gravest of sins.

Let us delve into the profound meanings of this statement in light of the Quran.

The word (afw) "عَفْوِ" in this Hadith refers to forgiveness. It is derived from the root word (afa) "عَفَا", which means to pardon, overlook, or absolve. Forgiveness is a noble quality that reflects the mercy and compassion of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) Himself. In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Surah An-Nur, 24:22)

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

This verse emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and highlights the reciprocal nature of forgiveness.

On the other hand, the word (intiqam) "اِنْتِقَامِ" in the Hadith refers to seeking revenge or retaliation. It is derived from the root word (naqama) "نَقَمَ", which means to take revenge. Seeking revenge is condemned in Islam, as it often leads to a cycle of violence and perpetuates hatred. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in the Quran, (Surah Ash-Shura, 42:40)

And the retribution for an evil act is an evil one like it, but whoever pardons and makes reconciliation, his reward is [due] from Allah. Indeed, He does not like wrongdoers

This verse encourages Muslims to break the cycle of revenge by pardoning and seeking reconciliation.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the severity of these two flaws. Lack of forgiveness is described as the ugliest of flaws because it goes against the teachings of Islam, which emphasize forgiveness and mercy. When we refuse to forgive others, we hold onto grudges and harbor negative feelings in our hearts. This not only damages our relationships with others but also affects our own spiritual well-being. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in the Quran, (Surah An-Nur, 24:22)

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

This verse reminds us that forgiveness is a means to attain Allah's forgiveness and mercy.

Rushing to exact revenge is described as the gravest of sins because it contradicts the principles of justice and mercy in Islam. Seeking revenge often leads to excessive harm and transgressions, causing further harm to individuals and society as a whole. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in the Quran, (Surah Ash-Shura, 42:40)

And the retribution for an evil act is an evil one like it, but whoever pardons and makes reconciliation, his reward is [due] from Allah. Indeed, He does not like wrongdoers

This verse reminds us that seeking revenge only perpetuates wrongdoing and displeases Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his immense knowledge and wisdom, emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and the dangers of seeking revenge. By forgiving others, we emulate the noble qualities of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and His beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Forgiveness allows us to maintain harmonious relationships, foster unity within the Muslim community, and attain spiritual growth. Conversely, seeking revenge only perpetuates hatred, division, and injustice.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to embody the virtues of forgiveness and to refrain from seeking revenge. By forgiving others, we demonstrate our commitment to the teachings of Islam and strive to attain Allah's forgiveness and mercy. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength to forgive others and protect us from the pitfalls of seeking revenge.