:salam2:
Very nice post. When we learn to completely forgive others, regardless of the harm we have suffered (and thereby leaving the ultimate recompense completely up to Allah), all traces of ill will that can burden us down are completely and instantly removed. Do we not all wish to earn the forgiveness of Allah? The best way to learn about the transforming power of forgiveness and earn mercy from our Creator is to act in that capacity toward others.
One of my favorite parts of the Qu'ran regarding the power of forgiveness is in Surah 42, included below are some of the applicable verses (apologies for the long post, but the whole of it is so good to read together):
[42.22] You will see the unjust fearing on account of what they have earned, and it must befall them; and those who believe and do good shall be in the meadows of the gardens; they shall have what they please with their Lord: that is the great grace.
[42.23] That is of which Allah gives the good news to His servants, (to) those who believe and do good deeds. Say: I do not ask of you any reward for it but love for my near relatives; and whoever earns good, We give him more of good therein; surely Allah is Forgiving, Grateful.
[42.24] Or do they say: He has forged a lie against Allah? But if Allah pleased, He would seal your heart; and Allah will blot out the falsehood and confirm the truth with His words; surely He is Cognizant of what is in the breasts.
[42.25] And He it is Who accepts repentance from His servants and pardons the evil deeds and He knows what you do;
[42.26] And He answers those who believe and do good deeds, and gives them more out of His grace; and (as for) the unbelievers, they shall have a severe punishment.
[42.27] And if Allah should amplify the provision for His servants they would certainly revolt in the earth; but He sends it down according to a measure as He pleases; surely He is Aware of, Seeing, His servants.
[42.28] And He it is Who sends down the rain after they have despaired, and He unfolds His mercy; and He is the Guardian, the Praised One.
[42.29] And one of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and what He has spread forth in both of them of living beings; and when He pleases He is all-powerful to gather them together.
[42.30] And whatever affliction befalls you, it is on account of what your hands have wrought, and (yet) He pardons most (of your faults).
[42.31] And you cannot escape in the earth, and you shall not have a guardian or a helper besides Allah.
[42.32] And among His signs are the ships in the sea like mountains.
[42.33] If He pleases, He causes the wind to become still so that they lie motionless on its back; most surely there are signs in this for every patient, grateful one,
[42.34] Or He may make them founder for what they have earned, and (even then) pardon most;
[42.35] And (that) those who dispute about Our communications may know; there is no place of refuge for them.
[42.36] So whatever thing you are given, that is only a provision of this world's life, and what is with Allah is better and more lasting for those who believe and rely on their Lord.
[42.37] And those who. shun the great sins and indecencies, and whenever they are angry they forgive.
[42.38] And those who respond to their Lord and keep up prayer, and their rule is to take counsel among themselves, and who spend out of what We have given them.
[42.39] And those who, when great wrong afflicts them, defend themselves.
[42.40] And the recompense of evil is punishment like it, but whoever forgives and amends, he shall have his reward from Allah; surely He does not love the unjust.
[42.41] And whoever defends himself after his being oppressed, these it is against whom there is no way (to blame).
[42.42] The way (to blame) is only against those who oppress men and revolt in the earth unjustly; these shall have a painful punishment.
[42.43] And whoever is patient and forgiving, these most surely are actions due to courage.
[42.44] And whomsoever Allah makes err, he has no guardian after Him; and you shall see the unjust, when they see the punishment, saying: Is there any way to return?
[42.45] And you shall see them brought before it humbling themselves because of the abasements, looking with a faint glance. And those who believe shall say: Surely the losers are they who have lost themselves and their followers on the resurrection day. Now surely the iniquitous shall remain in lasting chastisement.
[42.46] And they shall have no friends to help them besides Allah; and-- whomsoever Allah makes err, he shall have no way.
[42.47] Hearken to your Lord before there comes the day from Allah for which there shall be no averting; you shall have no refuge on that day, nor shall it be yours to make a denial.
[42.48] But if they turn aside, We have not sent you as a watcher over them; on you is only to deliver (the message); and surely when We make man taste mercy from Us, he rejoices thereat; and if an evil afflicts them on account of what their hands have already done, then-surely man is ungrateful.
