Dear children,
If I was to insist on you fostering and embedding just one attribute in your character, it would be forgiveness.
As much as I am loathe to say it, there will be times when people, even those you love and trust, will hurt you, knowingly or otherwise. And sometimes, the pain of that hurt will be so pronounced and its impact so enduring that it will cast its shadow on your heart, inviting hardness and excluding your softer inclinations. The hurt, if left untreated may induce anger, and anger is a volatile, dangerous emotion. The prophet (s) warned us about its dangers, in his hadith recorded by Al-Bukhari:
On the authority of Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him): A man came to the Prophet (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) and said, “Advise me.” He [the Prophet (peace be upon him)] said, “Do not become angry.” The man repeated [his request] several times and he [the Prophet (peace be upon him)] said, “Do not become angry.”
You know this hadith and recite it regularly, so please heed its message.
Anger gives rise to the desire for revenge, which is not to be confused with retribution. Revenge is a vile, soul-consuming disease; it is the antithesis of forgiveness. Retribution, or more specifically divine retribution, is God-sanctioned and delivered justice. It is perfect justice, something which no man or woman could match. So, should you really want to exact retribution, I urge you only to ever pray for that, but if you can find it in your heart to do so, forgive them and pray that God forgives them and guides them and shows them mercy.
Forgiveness will not make you less of a person, it does not make you a fool, and it does not take away from the fact you've been wronged. On the contrary, it will make you a bigger person, kinder, more humble and much more likeable. Remember, nothing is lost with God, the All-knowing, All-seeing, and that's all that really matters.
Love,
Mum
If I was to insist on you fostering and embedding just one attribute in your character, it would be forgiveness.
As much as I am loathe to say it, there will be times when people, even those you love and trust, will hurt you, knowingly or otherwise. And sometimes, the pain of that hurt will be so pronounced and its impact so enduring that it will cast its shadow on your heart, inviting hardness and excluding your softer inclinations. The hurt, if left untreated may induce anger, and anger is a volatile, dangerous emotion. The prophet (s) warned us about its dangers, in his hadith recorded by Al-Bukhari:
On the authority of Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him): A man came to the Prophet (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) and said, “Advise me.” He [the Prophet (peace be upon him)] said, “Do not become angry.” The man repeated [his request] several times and he [the Prophet (peace be upon him)] said, “Do not become angry.”
You know this hadith and recite it regularly, so please heed its message.
Anger gives rise to the desire for revenge, which is not to be confused with retribution. Revenge is a vile, soul-consuming disease; it is the antithesis of forgiveness. Retribution, or more specifically divine retribution, is God-sanctioned and delivered justice. It is perfect justice, something which no man or woman could match. So, should you really want to exact retribution, I urge you only to ever pray for that, but if you can find it in your heart to do so, forgive them and pray that God forgives them and guides them and shows them mercy.
Forgiveness will not make you less of a person, it does not make you a fool, and it does not take away from the fact you've been wronged. On the contrary, it will make you a bigger person, kinder, more humble and much more likeable. Remember, nothing is lost with God, the All-knowing, All-seeing, and that's all that really matters.
Love,
Mum
