Afu in Islam – The Power of Forgiveness

“Afu” in Arabic means to forgive, pardon, and overlook mistakes. Scholars explain that the essence of Afu is when a person has the right and ability to punish but chooses to forgive purely for the sake of Allah. Imam Abu al-Layth al-Samarqandi described Afu as: “A person who has power over others but forgives, seeking only the pleasure of Allah.”

Forgiveness in the Holy Quran

The Quran frequently instructs believers to forgive and show patience. Allah says:

• “Hold to forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant.” (Surah Al-A’raf 7:199)
• “To forgive is closer to righteousness.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:237)
• “Let them pardon and overlook. Do you not wish that Allah should forgive you?” (Surah An-Nur 24:22)

These verses remind us that just as we desire Allah’s forgiveness, we must forgive others.

Virtue of Forgiving Others

When Prophet Musa (Moses, peace be upon him) asked Allah who among His servants is most honored, Allah replied: “The one who forgives.” Similarly, companions such as Abu Darda (RA) emphasized that true honor lies in forgiving while having the power to punish.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “Shall I not tell you the best of morals in this world and the Hereafter? Keep ties with those who cut you off, give to those who withhold from you, and forgive those who wrong you.” (Mustadrak al-Hakim)

Forgiveness as an Attribute of Allah

One of Allah’s beautiful names is Al-‘Afuww (The Pardoner). He forgives sins, accepts repentance, and encourages His servants to embody forgiveness in their lives. Allah says: “Indeed, I am the Great Forgiver to whoever repents, believes, and does righteousness, then continues in guidance.” (Surah Taha 20:82)

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ – A Living Example of Forgiveness

The life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is a shining example of Afu. Despite suffering hardships, insults, and conspiracies for 23 years, he never took personal revenge. Instead, he forgave, showed mercy, and prayed for his enemies.

Examples of the Prophet’s Forgiveness

• Ta’if Incident: When rejected and mistreated by the people of Ta’if, the Prophet ﷺ was offered the chance to destroy them by the Angel of the Mountains. He refused, saying he hoped their descendants would worship Allah alone.
• Hunain Spoils: When accused of unfair distribution, the Prophet ﷺ bore it with patience, reminding his companions that even Musa (AS) endured worse.
• Hatib bin Abi Balta’ah: A companion who mistakenly endangered Muslims by sending a letter to Quraysh was pardoned by the Prophet ﷺ due to his past participation in Badr.
• Bedouin’s Rudeness: A man pulled the Prophet’s cloak harshly, demanding wealth. Instead of anger, the Prophet ﷺ smiled and gave him provisions.
• Conquest of Makkah: Despite years of persecution, the Prophet ﷺ forgave the Quraysh, declaring: “No blame upon you today. Go, you are free.”

Lesson for Believers

Forgiveness is not a sign of weakness but a divine quality. Holding back anger and choosing to pardon reflects true strength of character. As the Quran teaches: “Whoever forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is with Allah.” (Surah Ash-Shura 42:40)

Conclusion

Afu is among the noblest qualities in Islam. Just as Allah is Al-‘Afuww, we too should adopt forgiveness in our daily lives. By forgiving others, we not only elevate our own honor but also earn Allah’s mercy and forgiveness.

Forgive, so that you may be forgiven.

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