Arshad Shaikh studies the Sīrah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to find how the Noble Prophet ﷺ taught the world forgiveness and reconciliation, an essential attribute that is solely missing in today’s climate of hate and polarization. If the Prophet’s ﷺ way is adopted, the chasm between people would reduce considerably and the world would be able to attain the peace and tranquility it is desperately seeking.
Forgiveness is a virtue that holds a central place in Islam, and Prophet Muhammad ﷺ serves as the ultimate exemplar of forgiveness. His life and teachings are replete with instances of pardoning those who wronged him and promoting the concept of mercy and clemency. The Prophet’s ﷺ life was the living embodiment of the Qur’ān. Hence, the manifestation of all Qur’ānic commands can be seen in the life of the Prophet ﷺ.
In the Qur’ān, Surah Al-Baqarah (2:109), Allah says, “Forgive and overlook until Allah brings His command. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent.”
This verse underscores the idea that forgiveness is a virtue that transcends personal grievances and is a means of earning Allah’s favor. The verse instructs us to avoid succumbing to anger in response to the maliciousness and animosity of those who despise us and do not want us to succeed. We must avoid squandering precious time on futile arguments and bitter disputes with them. It is advisable instead to exercise patience and watch how divine intervention unfolds in their lives.
Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ practice of forgiveness is vividly illustrated in various Hadith (sayings and actions of the Prophet ﷺ). One well-known Hadith highlights his unwavering commitment to forgiveness. A narration from Sahih Al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim recounts an incident where a Bedouin man urinated in the Prophet’s ﷺ mosque. The companions were understandably upset, but the Prophet ﷺ intervened, instructing them to let the man finish and then clean the area with water, saying, “You have been sent to make things easy (for the people) and not to make things difficult for them.” This incident exemplifies the Prophet’s ﷺ compassion and his willingness to forgive, even in the face of an impolite and inappropriate act.
Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ life is replete with instances of forgiveness in practical life. The most profound example is the Conquest of Makkah. After years of persecution and conflict, when the Prophet ﷺ and his followers returned to Makkah as victors, they faced a choice – retribution or forgiveness. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, in an act of unparalleled magnanimity, chose forgiveness. He proclaimed, “This day, there is no reproach against you, and Allah will forgive you.” (Qur’ān, Surah Al-Taubah, 9:93). These words are a testament to the Prophet’s ﷺ ability to forgive and offer pardon even to those who had wronged him gravely.
Reconciliation is a concept of profound significance in Islam, and the life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ serves as a remarkable model of how to facilitate and nurture reconciliation. Surah Al-Hujurat (49:9) in the Qur’ān underscores the importance of peaceful resolution –“And if two factions among the believers should become hostile, then make reconciliation between the two. But if one of them oppresses the other then fight against the one that oppresses until it returns to the ordinance of Allah.”
ThisQur’ānic command encourages Muslims to engage in promoting peace when two factions within their own community are in conflict. Essentially, Allah does not condone passive observation when fellow Muslims are engaged in mutual conflict. Instead, in such distressing situations, all believers are called upon to express concern and take action to facilitate peace and reconciliation between the conflicting parties. They should encourage the disputing factions to cease hostilities and emphasize the importance of fearing God.
Individuals with influence should initiate dialogue with the responsible leaders from both sides, identify the root causes of the dispute, and do everything within their capacity to mediate and foster reconciliation.
We find, in another narration from Sahih Al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim that the Prophet ﷺ said,
“Shall I not inform you about something more excellent in degree than fasting, prayer, and charity? They (the people) said, ‘Yes.’ He (the Prophet ﷺ) said: ‘Reconciliation of (the differences between) people, for hatred and discord among the people are destructive.’” In this Hadith, the Prophet ﷺ elevates the act of reconciliation to a level higher than acts of worship, emphasizing its vital role in maintaining harmonious social relationships.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ often served as a mediator to foster reconciliation between individuals or groups in conflict. One notable instance is the Treaty of Hudaibiyah, where the Prophet ﷺ sought a peaceful resolution with the Quraysh tribe, despite the past hostilities. The agreement, though seemingly unfavorable to the Muslims at first, ultimately paved the way for a decade of peace and reconciliation.
The Prophet ﷺ consistently encouraged his companions to seek reconciliation and mend strained relationships. In a Hadith recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah, he said: “Do not hate one another, do not envy one another, do not turn away from one another, but rather be servants of Allah as brothers. It is not lawful for a Muslim to avoid speaking to his brother for more than three days.” This Hadith emphasizes the importance of maintaining open lines of communication and seeking reconciliation promptly when conflicts arise.
Islam views reconciliation as a virtuous act that attracts divine favor. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:224), the Qur’ān states: “And if they cease, then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” This verse encourages reconciliation by highlighting Allah’s attributes of forgiveness and mercy, assuring believers that their efforts in reconciling conflicts are aligned with divine attributes.
Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ teachings extended beyond his own actions. He consistently urged his companions to embrace forgiveness and mercy. In a Hadith recorded in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet ﷺ is reported to have said, “Allah is merciful and loves mercy. He grants mercy to those who show mercy to others. So, show mercy to those on Earth, and the One in the heavens will show mercy to you.” (Sahih Muslim). This Hadith underscores the reciprocal nature of forgiveness and the importance of mirroring Allah’s mercy in our interactions with others.
In Islam, forgiveness is not just a social virtue but also a means of spiritual growth and purification. When individuals forgive, they release themselves from the burden of anger and resentment, allowing them to draw closer to Allah. The Qur’ān encapsulates this concept beautifully in Surah Al-Imran (3:134): “Who spend [in the cause of Allah] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people – and Allah loves the doers of good.”
The life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ provide a profound guide on the path of forgiveness and reconciliation in Islam. He exemplified the virtue of forgiveness and reconciliation in his actions and taught it to his companions. As Muslims, we must strive to follow the Prophet’s ﷺ example. Forgiveness and reconciliation remain an essential pillar of our faith. Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ way of forgiveness and reconciliation shows how to mend worldly relationships and also find closeness to Allah and attain spiritual tranquility.