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
مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ حَرْثَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ نَزِدْ لَهُۥ فِى حَرْثِهِۦ ۖ وَمَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ حَرْثَ ٱلدُّنْيَا نُؤْتِهِۦ مِنْهَا وَمَا لَهُۥ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ مِن نَّصِيبٍ
Whoever desires the harvest of the Hereafter - We increase for him in his harvest [i.e., reward]. And whoever desires the harvest [i.e., benefits] of this world - We give him thereof, but there is not for him in the Hereafter any share.
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.
۞ وَمَا كَانَ لِبَشَرٍ أَن يُكَلِّمَهُ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا وَحْيًا أَوْ مِن وَرَآئِ حِجَابٍ أَوْ يُرْسِلَ رَسُولًا فَيُوحِىَ بِإِذْنِهِۦ مَا يَشَآءُ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِىٌّ حَكِيمٌ
And it is not for any human being that Allāh should speak to him except by revelation or from behind a partition or that He sends a messenger [i.e., angel] to reveal, by His permission, what He wills. Indeed, He is Most High and Wise.
وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ قُرْءَانًا عَرَبِيًّا لِّتُنذِرَ أُمَّ ٱلْقُرَىٰ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهَا وَتُنذِرَ يَوْمَ ٱلْجَمْعِ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ ۚ فَرِيقٌ فِى ٱلْجَنَّةِ وَفَرِيقٌ فِى ٱلسَّعِيرِ
And thus We have revealed to you an Arabic Qur’ān that you may warn the Mother of Cities [i.e., Makkah] and those around it and warn of the Day of Assembly, about which there is no doubt. A party will be in Paradise and a party in the Blaze.