FELLOW MUSLIMS-- Should there ever be a limit to forgiveness?

Question

Being the way I am I can't be frustrated or angry at anyone for too long. Sometimes even when I know the person might turn around and stab me in the back again, I forgive them because they often times promise me they will change. I forgive them because the Prophet (PBUH), used to forgive anyone who did harm to him, and forgiveness is the only way to attain inner peace. But, should there ever be a limit, and is there any Islamic ruling on this... or rather on people like this.

Non-Muslims: What would your faith say regarding this matter. and Atheists-- Do you hold any moral or ethical personal restraints about people like them..

Answer 1

We cannot expect for Allah's forgiveness unless we also forgive those who do wrong to us. Forgiving each other, even forgiving one's enemies is one of the most important Islamic teaching. Allah says in the Quran: "those who avoid major sins and acts of indecencies and when they are angry they forgive" (al-Shura 42:37)

The Quran also states:

"Turn to forgiveness and enjoin good and turn aside from the ignorant" (7:199)

"And if a false imputation from Shaitan afflicts you, seek refuge in Allah; surely He is Hearing, Knowing" (7:200)

"Those who spend (benevolently) in ease as well as in straightness, and those who restrain (their) anger and pardon men; and Allah loves the doers of good (to others)"(3:134)

The Messenger of Allah said: "The best deed before Allah is to pardon a person who has wronged you, to show affection for relatives who have broken ties with you, and to act generously towards a person who has deprived you". Thereafter he recited the following holy verses: "Turn to forgiveness and enjoin good and turn aside from ignorant" (7:199).

At the end, we should all forgive even the smallest or of the biggest mistakes, and there shall be no limit to it.

Answer 2

Wiccan here...

I find that I am a very forgiving person when it deals with people doing a wrong to me. I've had a BF cheat on me (we broke up but remain civil), a friend who chooses men who hurts her over my friendship (then comes crying back when she is dumped, happened 6 times and counting), had family members take money without asking, coworkers turn hateful when they find out my religion.... All of them I have, can, and will continue to forgive.

However, I do find it harder to forgive the ones who hurt the people I care about. That, I find, is the most difficult task for me. Seeing friends and family hurt, crying or sad because of another individual's actions often leads me to wish harmful and excruciating pain upon their heads. Even though I never act out these feeling I'm sure the God and Goddess would expect me to be just as forgiving of them......

Normally though, I pray for their Karma to be equalized. I would assume the God and Goddess would know the best way to do do that too. :) Plus, They've never let me down in that department yet.

Answer 3

I am a muslim, but I have a limit.
I am not forgiving, but I ignore / walk away.
I never let anybody doing bad to me, without me :
1). Telling the person I know what they are doing and I dont like it.

2). If they are in my house, I ask them :" please get out", with smile but very firm.

3). If he/she is my friend, I walk away from our friendship.

If for one or another reason, I see them again, I am not in hatred, I can still chat but only to be polite and as long as they dont open the "garbage can" again, if they do even to appologize ,I'll will smile and say OK, and move away. I dont want to be hit twice.

I know I am a muslim who supposed to forgive, I rather restrained and go; I'm not going to let any body fooling me.

Answer 4

Our beloved prophet Muhamed, peace be upon him, was the most human that received the most sever violence from most of those whom he invited for Islam even his own relatives and neighbors, though he used to forgive them all, he never got angry for something happened to him, he never sought revenge for himself. And as Muslims we should follow him and forgive everyone who did any thing bad for us.

Answer 5

In both Christianity and Islam, we believe in a God who is forgiving and merciful. When you and I have the opportunity to be forgiving and merciful, and we take it, it is a moment when we emulate those aspects of God and are truly close to him.

God knows that we will hurt him again, despite our promises to change and do better. But still he forgives us. Likewise, it is that compassion (when it is hardest to give) that we can exhibit that is closest to the divine.

Remember that, and do not expect more of man than God does.

Answer 6

I personally think no, even though that's hard to do. I get angry and let it to, try not to hold a grudge against anybody... I can forgive but I never forget and I take extra steps to avoid being hurt again.

Answer 7

Some people don't deserve forgiveness.. God considers them to be like pests.. That's why he legislated punishments like killing of the murderer or those who fight against God.

I saw a video for drug dealers hiding drugs inside a corpse of 1 year old baby..! How can I forgive something like that..? we humans are weak.. and our forgiveness is limited.. but this who can forgive to that extent I say: Glad tidings.

Answer 8

Morning lady!
I personally am agnostic. I am a grudge holder. Gots to say it takes alot of energy that could be used elsewhere much better. I try to let go but... its not easy at times. But from a nonreligous perspective, its just not good for the body/mind.

Answer 9

There was someone in the Bible, I forget whom, but asked Jesus if they should forgive seven times, and Jesus said to forgive seventy times seven. Forgiveness is good for the forgiver. It dispells anger, bitterness and agression.

Answer 10

From a Christian; Is there a limit to how much forgiveness God gives us? Are we a delegate from God to the world?