A Second Chance

And whoever is patient and forgives – indeed, that is of the matters [worthy] of resolve. [Quran 42:43]
Bismillah al-Rahman al-Raheem.

Acceptance, respect, understanding and solidarity, characteristics that are part of faith, values ​​and morals, an open and understanding mind is necessary, just as a heart full of love for Allah is also necessary.

When we think of those who have wronged us, we are usually taken by the bitter taste of rancor, it is difficult for us human beings, willing to make mistakes, to accept the idea of ​​forgiveness, the bitterness of rancor and the pain of bad memories, corrupt our hearts, gradually; and a corrupt heart, destroyed, becomes a mind in the service of error, makes good character and good morals enemies, since bitterness has taken over our hearts and then, we think that being cold and without empathy, it’s the best solution.

Consider the following hadith:

Imam Jaffar al Sadiq (peace be upon him):
“There are three things that are really hard for the people: forgiving the faults of others; accepting that others have more wealth than they do; and remembering God often.”

[Al-Khisal, Three things that are hard for people, hadith #1]

From the words of the Imam (peace be upon him), we can confirm that yes, it is easier for a human being to not forgive, it is easier to hold a grudge.
But what are the consequences of non-forgiveness?
The consequences are corruption of mind and heart, lack of empathy and solidarity, lack of progress in life, and involuntary withdrawal from those we like or love. When we don’t forgive, we will regress in our life, being chained in the ashes of the past, trapped in the cell of bitterness, we will not see changes in our lives, we will get lost in the darkness.
An open and understanding mind is necessary so that we can understand that, people deserve second chances, we deserve a second chance, non-forgiveness will only take us back, a person can change their interior, change for the better, if they truly want to; since the first step towards changes, comes from within, comes from the heart and from repentance.
We must move away from desires for revenge and go towards forgiveness and repentance, make it as easy for us to apologize as it is easy for us to make mistakes and hurt others, not only Muslims but also non-Muslims, we who are part of Islam, must keep in mind that good character is an essential part of our faith, as taught by our beloved Prophet Muhammad and his family (peace be upon them).

We must forgive:

al-Khizr (peace be upon him):
"The best deeds in the Opinion of God are the following three deeds: moderation at times of being wealthy; forgiving at times of being in power; and being kind to the servants of God (i.e. the people)."
[Al-Khisal, The best three deeds, hadith #1]

And those who avoid the major sins and immoralities, and when they are angry, they forgive. [Quran 42:37]

And We have not created the heavens and earth and that between them except in truth. And indeed, the Hour is coming; so forgive with gracious forgiveness. [Quran 15:85]

But we also must repent:

Rasulullah (peace be upon him and his family):
“The similitude of a believer near the Honorable, the Exalted God is like that of the nearby-stationed angel. A believer has an even higher rank than that before God. Nothing is more loved by God than a repenting believing man or woman.”
[Uyun-akhbar al-Ridha, vol. 2, Traditions about al-Ridha, hadith #33]

And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden [i.e., Paradise] as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous. [Quran 3:133]

A reasoning that is simple, but the nature of the human being makes it complicated, forgive to be forgiven.
Allah is the most merciful, the beneficent; who are we not to forgive others?
May our love for Allah increase, may our character improve and may we forgive others more, forgive to be forgiven and love your brothers in faith, protect them and help them.

Imam Musa al-Kadhim (peace be upon him):
“A believer is a brother of a fellow believer. Cursed is one who accuses a brother, cursed is one who cheats a brother, cursed is one who does not give advice [when able to], and cursed is one who backbites a brother.”
[Bihar al-anwar, vol. 75, p. 333]

Peace and blessings upon our beloved prophet Muhammad and his family.

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