scholars regarding retribution for bodily injuries: if someone wounds, chokes, strikes, or similarly harms another, the injured person may do the same to him. This is the sounder of the scholars’ two views, unless the act is forbidden as a matter of Allah’s right, such as committing an act of sexual indecency or forcing someone to drink wine. Most scholars have prohibited retaliation of this kind, although some have permitted responding with its equivalent.

If the wrongdoer acknowledges his wrongdoing and asks the wronged person to pardon him and seek Allah’s forgiveness for him, this is good and prescribed in Islam. As authentically reported in al-Sahīh from Abū al-Dardā’:

“There was a dispute between Abū Bakr and ʿUmar. Abū Bakr asked ʿUmar to seek forgiveness for him, but ʿUmar refused and later regretted it. He went looking for Abū Bakr and found that he had already gone to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and told him what had happened. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, ‘May Allah forgive you, Abū Bakr.’ Then he said, ‘O people! I came to you and said, “I am the Messenger of Allah,” and you said, “You are lying,” while Abū Bakr said, “You speak the truth.” Will you then leave my companion alone for my sake?’”

If the wronged person is asked to pardon after the wrongdoer has acknowledged his wrongdoing, and he agrees, he is among those who do good and whose reward is with Allah. If, however, he insists on claiming his right, he is not a wrongdoer, though he has forgone what is better and more virtuous. No one may exclude him from those who follow the path merely on that account, as many people do. Allah Most High says:

“As for those who seek redress after being wronged, there is no blame on them.”

“Blame falls only on those who wrong people and transgress in the land without right. They will have a punishment