Forgiveness is a peaceful response to conflict which
allows the parties involved to achieve positive change. At the same time, it is
a sign of power and generosity, and a characteristic of the Prophets and God. The
Quran says «And it is He who accepts repentance from his worshipers and
pardons the sins, and He knows what you do» (Sura: 42, Verse: 25).
There are several verses of the Quran that emphasize
the importance of forgiveness as opposed to answering evil with evil, which
surely contributes to transform conflicts and improve relations between people
and nations «And the retribution for an evil act is an evil one like it, but
whoever pardons and makes reconciliation, his reward lies with God. Indeed, He
does not love the unjust» (Sura: 42, Verse: 40).
This verse shows that if the believer wants to be
rewarded by Allah he/she should not answer evil with evil, acting violently and
seeking revenge, but learn to forgive, knowing that forgiving the other means
to win God’s forgiveness. Quran says: «Those of you who have affluence and
means should not refuse to give to the relatives, and the needy, and the
emigrants for the sake of God. And let them pardon and overlook. Do you not
love for God to forgive you? And God is forgiving and merciful» (Sura: 24,
Verse: 22).
The Prophet gave many lessons to show the importance
of forgiveness to transform conflicts and improve relationships between people.
The best example is with those who persecuted and tortured him and his
followers in Mecca. Once he returned peacefully he forgave them and let them
live with Muslims in Mecca.
Therefore, forgiveness can be applied as a local
instrument for peacefully transforming many of the current conflicts in Muslim
societies or with other communities. We only need to instill the Islamic ethics
and values to Muslims and explain that Allah loves and forgives the doers of
good «Who give in prosperity and adversity, who restrain anger, and who forgive
people. God loves the doers of good» (Sura: 3 Verse: 134).
Dr. Said Bahajin,
Researcher at UNESCO Chair of Philosophy for Peace, Jaume I University, Castellón, Spain
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