Forgiveness is the mental and/or spiritual process of ceasing to feel resentment, indignation, or anger against another person for a perceived offense, difference or mistake, or ceasing to demand punishment or restitution. This definition, however, is subject to much philosophical critique. Forgiveness may be considered simply in terms of the person who forgives, in terms of the person forgiven and/or in terms of the relationship between the forgiver and the person forgiven.
As spiritual and communal human beings, we know that we all make mistakes and need forgiveness. It should never be shameful to ask for forgiveness. Forgiveness is crucial to finding a place of space with ourselves and with others. It is important to not let pride stop us from forgiving those who hurt us or our community.
Forgiveness in Islam
Islam teaches that God (Allah in Arabic) is “the most forgiving’ and is the original source of all forgiveness. Forgiveness often requires the repentance of those being forgiven. Depending on the type of wrong committed, forgiveness can come either firectly from Allah, or from the individual who was wronger. In the case of divine forgiveness, the asking for divine forgiveness through repentance is important. In the case of human forgiveness, it is important to both forgive and to be forgiven.
Allah, the Almighty, has said: O Son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O Son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O Son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins as great as the earth, and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partners to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as it. (Hadith Qudsi)
To receive forgiveness from God, there are three requirements: (1)Recognizing the offense itself and its admission before God. (2) Making a commitment not to repeat the offense. (3) Asking for forgiveness from God.
If the offense was committed against another human being or against society, there are four conditions: (1) Recognizing the offense before those whom the offense was committed and before God. (2) Committing oneself not to repeat the offense. (3) Doing whatever needs to be done to rectify the offense (within reason) and asking pardon of the offended party. (4) Asking God for forgiveness.
There are no particular words to say for asking forgiveness. However, Muslims are taught many phrases and words to keep repeating daily asking God’s forgiveness. For example, astaghfiru-Allah means “I ask forgiveness from Allah.” Subhanaka-Allah humma wa bi hamdika wa ash-hadu al la llaha illa Anta astaghfiruka wa atubu ilayk means “Glory be to You, Allah, and with You Praise (thanks) and I bear witness that there is no deity but You, I ask Your forgiveness and I return to you (in obedience).”
In the end I ask Allah for mercy and forgiveness for all human beings and to bring a place of peace to earth.
-Sadeq Al-Tloa
Interfaith Scholar 2007-2008
Published in the Summer 2008 Issue of the Interfaith Review