These, then, are three divine commands whose goodness would be ours if only we followed them: “Take what is easy, enjoin what is right, and turn away from the ignorant” (al-Aʿrāf 199).

He, Exalted is He, also says: “Yet whoever is patient and forgives—indeed, that is surely among the matters of firm resolve” (al-Shūrá 43).

“Patient”: that is, patient with harm. “Forgives”: that is, overlooks the offense once it occurs. The phrase “that is surely among the matters of firm resolve” means it is among the most decisive of affairs—deeds that testify to a person’s determination, discipline, and mastery over his own soul. People, after all, differ in the degree to which they can control themselves: some are utterly unable to restrain themselves; others can, but only with great difficulty; and others can do so with ease, for Allah has endowed them with noble character, making patience and forgiveness easy for them.

Thus, whoever endures people’s harm, bears it while seeking his reward from Allah, and then pardons them—that person has achieved this resolute affair. The verse is a clear exhortation that one should be patient and forgive. We have already detailed that pardoning wrongdoers and aggressors is not always praiseworthy nor always blameworthy; rather, the benchmark is whether it leads to reform.

1/632- On the authority of Ibn ʿAbbās—may Allah be pleased with him—who said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to al-Ashajj of ʿAbd al-Qays, “You possess two qualities that Allah loves: forbearance and deliberation.” Reported by Muslim.

2/633- On the authority of ʿĀʾishah—may Allah be pleased with her—who said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Indeed, Allah is Gentle….”