Forgiveness

Anas [ibn Mâlik] said:

One day when the Messenger of God, may God bless him and give him peace, was seated [amongst us], we saw him laughed and laughed until his teeth were showing. 'Umar asked: "What makes you laugh, O Messenger of God, you for whom I would give my own father and mother?" He replied:

Two men of my community were kneeling before the Lord of Might, ever exalted is He, and one of them said: "O my Lord, retrieve for me what my brother has wrongfully taken from me!"

He said [to the accused]: "Give back to your brother what you have wrongfully taken from him."

But my Lord," he replied, "nothing of merit has been left to me."

"Then my Lord," said [the first], "let him carry some of my burden.

The eyes of the Messenger of God, may God give him blessings and peace, filled with tears, and he said: "Indeed that is a fearful day, when people will need someone to carry part of their burden." Then he continued:

And God, ever mighty and majestic is He, said to the plaintiff: "Raise your head and look towards the Gardens of Paradise."

He raised his eyes and exclaimed: "My Lord, I see cities of silver and palaces of gold, crowned with pearls. To which prophet or martyr does it belong?"

God replied: "It belongs to whoever pays Me the price."

He asked: "And who, my Lord, will own it?"

God replied: "You will."

He asked: "But how shall I do that, my Lord?

God replied: "By pardoning your brother."

He said: "My Lord, I have already pardoned him!"

God, ever exalted is He, said: "Now take your brother by the hand, and lead him into Paradise."

Then the Messenger of God added:

"Fear God, and promote peace and reconciliation amongst yourselves, for surely God shall establish peace among the faithful on the Day of Resurrection."