1. Remember Forgiveness Is a Divine Quality
Allah describes Himself: “Indeed, Allah is Pardoning and Forgiving.” [Qur’an 4:43].
When you forgive others, you embody a quality Allah loves, and He in return grants you His pardon.
2. Recall the Qur’anic Command
Allah says: “Let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allah should forgive you?” [Qur’an 24:22].
Forgiving others is directly tied to gaining Allah’s forgiveness.
3. Reflect on the Prophet’s Example ﷺ
When the people of Makkah oppressed him and later he entered victorious, he said: “Go, for you are free.” [Sīrah reference: Ibn Hishām].
Forgiving when you have the power to retaliate is the highest level of mercy.
4. Understand the Weight of Holding Grudges
The Prophet ﷺ said: “The gates of Paradise are opened on Mondays and Thursdays, and every servant who does not associate anything with Allah is forgiven, except the man who has a grudge against his brother. It will be said: Leave these two until they reconcile.” [Sahih Muslim, 2565].
Grudges block forgiveness from Allah.
5. Seek Reward From Allah Alone
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Charity does not decrease wealth, no one forgives another but Allah increases him in honor.” [Sahih Muslim, 2588].
Forgiving is an elevation, not a humiliation.
6. Remember Your Own Sins
Each of us has wronged Allah countless times, yet He still forgives. Allah says: “Say, O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins.” [Qur’an 39:53].
This reflection softens the heart to forgive others.
7. Suppress Anger With Forbearance
Allah praises: “Those who restrain anger and pardon people – and Allah loves the doers of good.” [Qur’an 3:134].
Forgiveness is tied to self-control, a trait of the righteous.
8. Make Duʿā’ for the Person Who Wronged You
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Make duʿā’ for those who wrong you.” [Reported in Musnad Aḥmad, Hasan].
This turns resentment into compassion, healing the heart.
9. Recall the Temporary Nature of This World
When you remember that this dunya is fleeting and the Hereafter eternal, worldly insults and harms shrink in importance. Allah says: “And the Hereafter is better and more lasting.” [Qur’an 87:17].
10. Hope for Shade on the Day of Judgment
Among those shaded are two men who loved each other for Allah’s sake [Sahih al-Bukhārī, 660; Sahih Muslim, 1031].
Forgiving opens the door to this honor.
11. Avoid Seeking Revenge
Allah says: “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.” [Qur’an 42:40].
Choosing pardon secures reward directly with Allah.
12. Reflect on Stories of the Prophets
Yūsuf (عليه السلام) forgave his brothers who plotted to kill him, saying: “No blame will there be upon you today. Allah will forgive you; and He is the most merciful of the merciful.” [Qur’an 12:92].
His example shows forgiveness as a sign of nobility.
13. Remember the Healing Effect on Your Own Heart
Forgiveness is not only a gift to others but a relief for yourself. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Do not harbor hatred, nor jealousy, nor enmity… Be servants of Allah, brothers.” [Sahih Muslim, 2564].
Letting go purifies the heart.
14. Use Forgiveness to Overcome Ego
The Prophet ﷺ said: “No one forgives another but Allah increases him in honor.” [Sahih Muslim, 2588].
True honor lies in humbling oneself by forgiving, not in retaliating.
15. Imagine the Reward in the Hereafter
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever suffers an injury and forgives, Allah will raise him one degree and remove from him one sin.” [Sunan al-Tirmidhī, 2029; Hasan].
Every act of forgiveness lifts you in rank before Allah.
