Do you know that forgiving people is also a form of charity?
There was a companion who wanted to join the army of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in the Battle of Tabuk. But he didn’t have any resources – no animal to ride on, hardly any money. When he realized he couldn’t go, he stood in prayer at night, and cried to Allah:
“O Allah! You have ordered us to go to Jihad and encouraged me towards it, but You did not provide me with the means for it, nor did You give Your Messenger a riding animal to transport me with.
(So) I wish to donate (by forgiving) all the Muslims who harmed me financially, physically or insulted my honor and dignity.”
And that night ended.
The next day, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ asked: “Who is the man who spent the night giving charity?” No one stood up.
So the Prophet ﷺ said: “‘Let the man who made the charity get up now.”
The companion remembered what he did last night, so he stood up and said it was him.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “Rejoice! By Him in Whose Hand is my soul, you have been recorded amongst those having made charity that was accepted by Allah!” [Authentic Narration Recorded in Zaad-ul-Ma’ad]
See the connection between giving charity and forgiving others?
Now think of that person who has wronged you. Who are those who you want to forgive, so that Allah can accept it and forgive you, as well as make it as charity for you?
Know that forgiving people is an act of ihsan, of excellence. It is a quality of Al-Muhsineen (the people of excellence), and Allah loves Al-Muhsineen.
And when Allah loves you, then that’s all that really matters. You will be protected. You will be honored. You will be victorious. And you will be among those in Jannah.
In these last nights of Ramadan, as we seek the forgiveness of Allah subhana wa ta’ala, let us also be among Al-Muhsineen who forgive others for the sake of Allah.
No one benefits from forgiving others more than ourselves.
