5 Verses from the Holy Quran on Forgiveness

It remains a duty on all Muslims to understand and implement forgiveness – Islam encourages and promotes the idea of empathy, protecting our morals, and learning to better ourselves through the ability to forgive others. To forgive is to be a better Muslim.

Let us therefore look into the Holy Quran – the definite authoritative word of God – to understand the true importance of forgiveness. If we want to truly appreciate the incredible power of mercy from Allah, then it also remains a duty on us to try and implement forgiveness in our own lives – that is the least we can do as Muslims who believe in the power of repentance.

Here are just five examples from the Quran on the depth of faith one can hope to achieve through understanding and implementing forgiveness throughout our lives:

1. Be gracious with forgiveness

“We have not created the heavens and the earth and everything in between except for a purpose. And the Hour is certain to come, so forgive graciously.” (Quran 15:85)

In this verse, we are reminded that our time on this earth and in this dunya is limited – we must, therefore, try to understand the importance of forgiveness. If we ourselves hope to be forgiven for our own shortcomings and sins, the least we can do is to forgive and pray for the forgiveness of our fellow brothers and sisters.

2. There is reward from reconciliation

“And the retribution for an evil act is an evil one like it, but whoever pardons and makes reconciliation – his reward is [due] from Allah. Indeed, He does not like wrongdoers.” (Quran 42:40)

Here, we can understand that Allah will reward and bless those who are truly able to forgive. While it may sometimes be the hardest thing we do, we must understand the importance in reconciling with those we may have never thought possible of being forgiven – we must do this if not for ourselves, then at least for Allah.

3. Patience and forgiveness are worthy of praise

“And whoever is patient and forgives – indeed, that is of the matters [worthy] of resolve.” (Quran 42:43)

The Quran reminds us again that being patient and being able to forgive are two sides of the same coin – if we are to truly live in a united ummah, we must continuously strive towards reconciliation and forgiveness for the betterment of our society.

4. To forgive is to trust Allah

“It is by Allah’s mercy that you are gentle to them; and had you been harsh and hardhearted, surely they would have scattered from around you. So excuse them, and plead for forgiveness for them, and consult them in the affairs, and once you are resolved, put your trust in Allah. Indeed Allah loves those who trust in Him.” (Quran 3:159)

In the eyes of Allah, to sincerely pardon and forgive is to trust Allah as well. We must trust that Allah Sees everything, and remember that the only One worthy enough to judge our actions is Allah Himself – we must therefore forgive and trust that Allah will always reward us for what we deserve.

5. Do we not love to be forgiven by Allah?

“Do not let the people of virtue and affluence among you swear to suspend donations to their relatives, the needy, and the emigrants in the cause of Allah. Let them pardon and forgive. Do you not love to be forgiven by Allah? And Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Quran 24:22)

Just as we love to be forgiven and shown mercy by Allah, we must strive towards showing mercy and forgiveness in our own lives – as Muslims, this is the least we can do in showing how much we love Allah.