₦airaland Forum

One of the few things I clearly remember about one of my secondary school teachers is his repeated phrase: "I DON'T FORGIVE. I WON'T OFFEND YOU, BUT IF YOU DO, I WON'T FORGIVE YOU." The main reason he used to say this in almost all of his classes is best known to him, though perhaps he didn't want students to take advantage of his calm nature.

There was also a woman in one of the houses we lived in while growing up who informed my mother that she would never forgive her husband if he married another woman. She even went as far as making a vow that she would kill her husband and herself if she discovered that he had taken another wife who bore him a child, as she believed her husband was the cause of her "problem."

These are two occasions I vividly remember where people expressed that they could never forgive someone who had, or might have, offended them. While these two individuals were vocal about their feelings, there are many others who might not say such things aloud, but their actions reflect similar sentiments.

Let's take a look at a scenario between Abu Bakr and Mistah—perhaps those with the mindset of not forgiving others can learn from it and possibly change their perspective.


Allah says: (interpretation of the meaning): *And let not those of virtue among you and wealth swear not to give [aid] to their relatives and the needy and the emigrants for the cause of Allah, and let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful*

This Ayah was revealed concerning As-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, when he swore that he would not help Mistah bin Uthathah after he said what he said about A'ishah.

When Allah revealed the innocence of the Mother of the believers, A'ishah, and the believers were happy and content with the outcome of this incident, and those believers who had talked about the matter repented, and the prescribed punishment had been carried out upon those on whom it was carried out, then Allah started to soften the heart of As-Siddiq towards his relative Mistah bin Uthathah.

Mistah was the cousin of As-Siddiq, the son of his maternal aunt, and he was a poor man with no wealth except whatever Abu Bakr spent on him. He was one of those who had migrated for the sake of Allah. He had invented the lies and the slander, but then Allah accepted his repentance from that and the prescribed punishment was carried out on him.

As-Siddiq was known for his generosity and he did favors to his relatives and strangers alike. When this Ayah was revealed:

أَلَا تُحِبُّونَ أَن يَغْفِرَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ

*Do you not love that Allah should forgive you?*

which shows that the reward fits the action, and that *`if you forgive others, you will be forgiven,'* then As-Siddiq said,

*"Of course, by Allah, we love -- O our Lord -- that You should forgive us."*

Then he resumed his spending on Mistah and said, *"By Allah I will never stop spending on him."*(English - Tafsir ibn Kathir)

We can all learn from the incident cited above, for indeed, it is impossible to live in a community without occasionally offending one another. In fact, the closer you are to someone, the more likely you are to offend them, and vice versa.

If we set boundaries so strictly that we believe we don't offend anyone, yet many people still offend us, then we must learn to overlook and forgive. After all, there is no one on the face of the earth who does not offend Allah, the Most High, and we all desire and hope that He forgives us too.

SANNI AZEEZ TAIWO
(Honey man)
25/08/2024

My dear followers of mohammed.
Forgiveness of sin can only be found in Jesus.

Acts 5
30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus,
whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour,
for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

Islam does not provide forgiveness of sin,
thats why mohammed does not know what will happen to him.

surah 46:9
I do not know what shall be done with me or with you.