Islam attaches great importance to the concept of pardoning of sins by Allah so that one may be saved from Hellfire. On several occasions, The Holy Quran gives such prayers as "Pardon us, forgive us our sins, and have mercy upon us" (Quran 2/286).
Allah assures us that no matter what our sin, if we truly repent and seek His forgiveness, and take steps to put right our wrongs, He will forgive us. The Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) said, "My heart is clouded until I have asked God’s forgiveness seventy times during the day and night."
We are likewise asked to show mercy to our fellow men. (Quran 90/17) Since God is Himself forgiving, He desires that people should cultivate this attribute and show forgiveness to other human beings. (Quran 24/22; 64/14).
The Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) taught his followers that the individual who pardons his enemy, even while having the power to extract revenge, will be nearest to God in the Hereafter. Once the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) was asked, "How many times are we to forgive our servants’ faults?" He remained silent. The questioner repeated his question. But the Prophet gave no answer. But when the person asked a third time, he said, "Forgive your servant seventy times a day."
The Holy Quran makes it clear that a strong, adverse, emotional reaction such as anger does not befit the true believer, and instead cites as a mark of excellence the quality of forgiveness: "When they become angry, they are forgiving." (Quran 42/37)
indeed, Islam urges us to be tolerant and forgive others. This is indicated in both the Qur’aan and the Sunnah. Indeed, one of the features of Islam is that it is deen al-rahmah (the religion of mercy). By the same token the Muslim should be easy going, not one who puts others off; he should forgive when he is able to take revenge and be tolerant when people make mistakes
“O you who believe! Verily, among your wives and your children there are enemies for you (who may stop you from the obedience of Allaah); therefore beware of them! But if you pardon (them) and overlook, and forgive (their faults), then verily, Allaah is Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful” [al-Taghaabun 64:14]
The mercy, kindness and gentleness of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was the reason why people entered the religion of Allaah. If the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) had not been so kind and gentle, he would have put off the people around him, and they would have left him and not believed in his message.
Allaah has given the Muslim permission, if aggression is committed against him, to settle the score, but He encourages him to forgive. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“The recompense for an evil is an evil like thereof; but whoever forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is with Allaah. Verily, He likes not the Zaalimoon (oppressors, polytheists, and wrongdoers).
And indeed whosoever takes revenge after he has suffered wrong, for such there is no way (of blame) against them.
And verily, whosoever shows patience and forgives, that would truly be from the things recommended by Allaah" [al-Shoora 42:40-43]
But we should note that the Muslim should forgive any wrong done to him by a kaafir in such a way that does not cause him humiliation, because the Muslim should be proud. Allaah has honoured him and he should feel proud of that and take that as his attitude, because if he is proud then Islam and all the Muslims are honoured. But if this forgiveness will lead to humiliation, then the Muslim has to settle the score. Concerning that Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And those who, when an oppressive wrong is done to them, take revenge” [al-Shoora 42:39]
The Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) taught his followers that the individual who pardons his enemy, even while having the power to extract revenge, will be nearest to God in the Hereafter.
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