وَجَزَٰٓؤُا۟ سَيِّئَةٍ سَيِّئَةٌ مِّثْلُهَا ۖ فَمَنْ عَفَا وَأَصْلَحَ فَأَجْرُهُۥ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ 40
Translations
And the retribution for an evil act is an evil one like it, but whoever pardons and makes reconciliation - his reward is [due] from Allāh. Indeed, He does not like wrongdoers.
Transliteration
Wa jazaa'u sayyi'atin sayyi'atun mithluhaa, fa man 'afa wa aslaha fa ajruhu 'alallah. Innahu la yuhibbu az-zalimin.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes the principle of proportional justice while simultaneously elevating forgiveness and reconciliation as the superior path. The verse permits retaliation in kind for wrongdoing, yet immediately emphasizes that those who choose to pardon and reconcile will receive their reward directly from Allah, signifying His pleasure with forgiveness. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi note this demonstrates Islam's balance between justice and mercy, where while the right to retaliate exists, exercising forbearance is morally superior and more pleasing to Allah.
Revelation Context
Surah Ash-Shuraa is a Meccan surah that addresses fundamental Islamic principles. This particular ayah appears within a section discussing proper conduct and moral excellence. The broader context emphasizes consultation (shura) and just dealings as foundational to Islamic society, making this verse part of the surah's teaching on ethical interpersonal relations.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever suppresses anger when he has the power to express it, Allah will fill his heart with contentment on the Day of Judgment' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Also relevant is the hadith: 'The strong person is not the one who throws his adversaries to the ground. Rather, the strong person is the one who controls himself when he is angry' (Sahih Bukhari 5763).
Themes
Key Lesson
While we have the right to demand justice and reciprocal accountability, choosing forgiveness and reconciliation demonstrates true strength of character and earns us Allah's favor and reward. This teaches that nobility lies not in exacting revenge, but in restraint and the capacity to heal relationships through mercy.
Related Ayahs
وَمَا تَفَرَّقُوٓا۟ إِلَّا مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلْعِلْمُ بَغْيًۢا بَيْنَهُمْ ۚ وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَتْ مِن رَّبِّكَ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى لَّقُضِىَ بَيْنَهُمْ ۚ وَإِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ أُورِثُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِمْ لَفِى شَكٍّ مِّنْهُ مُرِيبٍ
And they did not become divided until after knowledge had come to them - out of jealous animosity between themselves. And if not for a word that preceded from your Lord [postponing the penalty] until a specified time, it would have been concluded between them. And indeed, those who were granted inheritance of the Scripture after them are, concerning it, in disquieting doubt.
وَمِنْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ خَلْقُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَثَّ فِيهِمَا مِن دَآبَّةٍ ۚ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ جَمْعِهِمْ إِذَا يَشَآءُ قَدِيرٌ
And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and earth and what He has dispersed throughout them of creatures. And He, for gathering them when He wills, is competent.
ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَٱلْمِيزَانَ ۗ وَمَا يُدْرِيكَ لَعَلَّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ قَرِيبٌ
It is Allāh who has sent down the Book in truth and [also] the balance [i.e., justice]. And what will make you perceive? Perhaps the Hour is near.
ٱسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لِرَبِّكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِىَ يَوْمٌ لَّا مَرَدَّ لَهُۥ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ مَا لَكُم مِّن مَّلْجَإٍ يَوْمَئِذٍ وَمَا لَكُم مِّن نَّكِيرٍ
Respond to your Lord before a Day comes from Allāh of which there is no repelling. No refuge will you have that Day, nor for you will there be any denial.