Sunday, August 13, 2017

Sometimes it's better NOT to pardon your Muslim brother


Shaykh Uthaymeen  رحمه الله said concerning the statement of Allah the Exalted:


فَمَنْ عَفَا وَأَصْلَحَ فَأَجْرُهُۥ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ﴿٤٠﴾

But whoever forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah. {Soorah Ash-Shūraá 42:40}

Allah clarified in His statement that pardoning is not better unless it contains reconciliation. If an individual does evil towards you and he is known for evil and transgressing the slaves of Allah then it is better if you do not pardon him. And it is better that you take your right from him, because if you pardon him he will increase in his evil. But if the person harmed you by accident, and this was a rare occurrence from him, then it is better to pardon him. (Explanation of Riyadis Saliheen)

Shaykh Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:

“If pardoning this person will increase  his transgression, then in this case pardoning him is blameworthy and perharps even prohibited. For example, if you pardon this criminal and you know or you are almost certain that he will  go commit  a greater crime; then in this case the person who pardons the criminal is not praised, rather he is criticized. (Explanation of Aqeedah Al Wasitiyah) 


Translated by Rasheed ibn Estes Barbee