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
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