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
وَٱلَّذِينَ يُحَآجُّونَ فِى ٱللَّهِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا ٱسْتُجِيبَ لَهُۥ حُجَّتُهُمْ دَاحِضَةٌ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَعَلَيْهِمْ غَضَبٌ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ
And those who argue concerning Allāh after He has been responded to - their argument is invalid with their Lord, and upon them is [His] wrath, and for them is a severe punishment.
وَٱلَّذِينَ يَجْتَنِبُونَ كَبَـٰٓئِرَ ٱلْإِثْمِ وَٱلْفَوَٰحِشَ وَإِذَا مَا غَضِبُوا۟ هُمْ يَغْفِرُونَ
And those who avoid the major sins and immoralities, and when they are angry, they forgive,
وَمِنْ ءَايَـٰتِهِ ٱلْجَوَارِ فِى ٱلْبَحْرِ كَٱلْأَعْلَـٰمِ
And of His signs are the ships in the sea, like mountains.
إِنَّمَا ٱلسَّبِيلُ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يَظْلِمُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ وَيَبْغُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ ٱلْحَقِّ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
The cause is only against the ones who wrong the people and tyrannize upon the earth without right. Those will have a painful punishment.