Forgiveness ('Afw) in Islam

Forgiveness ('afw, maghfirah, safh) is a central theme in the Quran and a defining characteristic of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Allah describes Himself as al-Ghafur (the Oft-Forgiving) and al-'Afuw (the Pardoner), and He loves to see this quality in His servants. The Quran commands: "Let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allah should forgive you?" (Quran 24:22). The Prophet (peace be upon him) demonstrated this virtue throughout his life, most dramatically during the conquest of Makkah, when he forgave the very people who had persecuted, tortured, and killed his companions for over a decade.

Allah's Forgiveness

The foundation of forgiveness in Islam is Allah's own attribute of mercy and forgiveness. The Quran states: "Say, 'O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful'" (Quran 39:53). This is one of the most hopeful verses in the Quran. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Allah stretches out His Hand at night to accept the repentance of the one who sinned during the day, and He stretches out His Hand during the day to accept the repentance of the one who sinned during the night, until the sun rises from the west" (Sahih Muslim). No sin is too great for Allah's forgiveness, as long as the person repents sincerely before death.

Forgiving Others

The Quran praises those who forgive others in the strongest terms: "And the retribution for an evil act is an evil one like it, but whoever pardons and makes reconciliation, his reward is with Allah" (Quran 42:40). The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "No one is more patient in the face of something harmful that he hears than Allah: they attribute a son to Him, yet He still grants them health and provision" (Sahih al-Bukhari). If Allah Himself is patient and forgiving toward those who commit shirk against Him, how much more should humans forgive one another for lesser offenses. The Prophet never took personal revenge. When the people of Ta'if stoned him until his sandals were soaked with blood, and the angel of the mountains offered to crush them, he refused, saying: "Perhaps Allah will bring forth from their descendants people who worship Him alone."

Forgiveness and Justice

Islamic forgiveness does not require abandoning justice. The Quran establishes the right of retaliation (qisas) while preferring forgiveness: "And whoever is killed unjustly, We have given his heir authority, but let him not exceed limits in killing" (Quran 17:33). A person may seek their legal right and there is no sin in doing so. But the Quran consistently presents forgiveness as the higher path: "But whoever forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is with Allah" (Quran 42:40). The scholars note that forgiveness is recommended when it leads to reform, but if forgiving would embolden the oppressor to harm others, then seeking justice may be the better course. Wisdom lies in knowing which response serves the greater good.