Huzoor^(aba) delivered his Friday Sermon today on the subject of forgiveness and pardon. Huzoor^(aba) recited verse 135 of Surah Al Imran (3:135). The translation reads: "Those, who spend in prosperity and adversity, and those who suppress anger, and pardon men; and Allah loves those who do good"

Huzoor^(aba) said each person is affected to some degree or the other when society adopts brazen ways; this can cultivate self-centredness and a tendency not to forgive the other person’s fault. This is how, Huzoor^(aba) said, family quarrels ensue and even squabbles with passer-bys can instigate. In this environment of intolerance the responsibility upon the Ahmadi is tremendous to abide by the teachings of Islam and as the above Quranic verse enjoins, to curb one’s anger and to forgive. With reference to verse 200 of Surah Al A’raf (7:200) Huzoor^(aba) said one should restrain one’s temper and explain oneself gently, however, if this does not work then it is better to remove oneself from the situation. Huzoor^(aba) said some raise the objection that if one was to always walk away from a potentially volatile situation then the wrongdoers would have a free run. Regarding this, Huzoor^(aba) said the Quran declares in Surah Al Shura (42:41) that it is better to forgive if there is hope of reformation; otherwise punishment has to be given for misdeed committed. Huzoor^(aba) said not everyone who is wronged can retaliate and one has to resort to the law of the land that can deal with the matter. Similarly, Huzoor^(aba) said we have the system of our Community, the Nizam e Jama’at in place. Huzoor^(aba) said people who are disciplined for an offence are often verbose about the virtue of forgiveness, failing to notice that it is indeed also Allah’s command to punish a wrong.

As ever elucidating the subject further with ahadith Huzoor^(aba) related that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings on him) said that the greatest excellence was to overlook and pardon one who mistreats you and that the more a man forgives the more Allah raises his station. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) greatly enjoined to pardon the mistakes of one’s employees. Once he was displeased with Hazrat Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) who had, after displaying remarkable patience to a reproachful man, had eventually responded to him. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings on him) said as long as Hazrat Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was silent Allah’s angels was keeping an eye on him but once he responded Satan came in. Hazrat Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her) said that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) did not ever retaliate to personal mistreatment. He also most magnanimously pardoned the man whose assault on his daughter had caused her a miscarriage and eventual death. After the fall of Mecca, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) also famously forgave Hind, the once vicious wife of Abu Safyan, who had committed incredible brutalities against Muslims.

Huzoor^(aba) said each episode of pardon and forgiveness in the blessed life of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) surpasses the other. Today, each Ahmadi must adhere to his teachings.

Next Huzoor^(aba) recounted a few examples of forgiveness from the life of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) on how he would totally forgive blunders made by people who worked for him and how he was resolutely fair-minded and honourable even when dealing with his staunch enemies.

Huzoor^(aba) read out some excerpts from the Promised Messiah’s (on whom be peace) writings enjoining to control one’s anger and forgive, to adopt taqwa (righteousness), he wrote: ‘The reformation of each community primarily begins with good manners.’

Huzoor^(aba) prayed that may we be among those who exhibit great fortitude, who adhere to the teachings of the Holy Quran, who follow the Sunnah and who mould themselves according to the wishes of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace).