Forgiving the one who wrongs you and answering with kindness was the way of the Prophet.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) did not repay evil with evil; he forgave and showed tolerance. At the conquest of Mecca he forgave and set free those who had persecuted him for years. He kept his word and never broke a covenant. Forgiveness is not weakness; it is the mark of a high character.
What is the hadith source of this sunnah?
This sunnah rests on the following hadiths. The reference gives the collection, chapter and number where the hadith appears.
- T2016 Tirmizî, Birr, 69
- BS18784, BS18785 Beyhakî, es-Sünenü'l-kübrâ, IX, 195
- D2758 Ebû Dâvûd, Cihâd, 151
- B7 Buhârî, Bed'ü'l-vahy, 1
More sunnahs in Social Life
As a table with references: Social Life sunnahs.
- Looking After the Neighbor: Treating the neighbor well and looking after them is a sunnah the Prophet valued greatly.
- Visiting the Sick: Visiting and consoling sick friends and loved ones is a beautiful part of the sunnah.
- Exchanging Gifts: Giving a gift and receiving it graciously nourishes love between hearts.
- Saying That You Love Someone: Telling someone you love them is a sunnah the Prophet recommended.
- Honoring the Guest: Meeting guests with a smiling face and generosity is one of the beautiful reflections of the sunnah.
- Giving Charity: Giving charity, however little, protects its giver and softens the heart.
- Faithfulness to a Trust: Guarding what is entrusted to you and returning it to its owner is the most basic sign of trustworthiness.
- Wanting for Your Brother Too: Wanting for your brother what you want for yourself is a sign of mature faith.
- Seeking Knowledge: Allah eases the path to Paradise for one who sets out in search of knowledge.
- Never Saying "I Have None": A generosity that made a principle of never saying "I have none" when asked for something.
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