- Chapter: Forbearance, Deliberation, and Gentleness
Allah the Exalted says, “Those who restrain their anger and pardon people, and Allah loves the doers of good.” (Aal ʿImrān 3:134)
He also says, “Show forgiveness, enjoin what is right, and turn away from the ignorant.” (Al-Aʿrāf 7:199)
And He, glorified be He, says, “Good and evil are not equal. Repel [evil] with that which is better; then the one between you and whom there was enmity will become as though he were a devoted friend. Yet none attains this except those who are patient, and none attains it except one who is endowed with a tremendous share [of virtue].” (Fussilat 41:34–35)
He further says, “Whoever is patient and forgives—indeed, that is among the matters requiring firm resolve.” (Ash-Shūrā 42:43)
[Explanation]
The author—may Allah have mercy on him—said: Chapter on forbearance (hilm), deliberation (anāh), and gentleness (rifq).
These are three closely related qualities: forbearance, deliberation, and gentleness.
Forbearance is that a person restrains himself when angered; when anger arises and he possesses the power to retaliate, he remains forbearing, refrains from punishing, and does not rush to impose a penalty.
Deliberation is to proceed with composure in one’s affairs, avoiding haste, and not to seize upon matters at their outward appearance so that one rushes and passes judgment before reflecting and examining.
Gentleness is to treat people with softness and ease; even when they deserve punishment and retribution, he still deals gently with them.
This, however, applies only when the one toward whom gentleness is shown is eligible for such treatment; whereas if he is not—