15.1.4 Justice and Forgiveness

Justice and Forgiveness in the Character of the Prophet ﷺ

Justice as a Central Feature of His Character

Justice was not a side quality in the life of the Prophet ﷺ. It was a central pillar of his mission and personality. Allah described his task as the establishment of justice in clear terms. Allah says:

لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ وَأَنْزَلْنَا مَعَهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْمِيزَانَ لِيَقُومَ النَّاسُ بِالْقِسْطِ
“We certainly sent Our messengers with clear proofs and sent down with them the Book and the balance so that mankind may uphold justice.”
(Surah al-Hadid 57:25)

The Prophet ﷺ lived this command in his judgments, his leadership, his family life, and even in how he dealt with his enemies. Justice for him was not only a legal principle. It was an act of obedience to Allah and a form of worship.

Allah ordered the believers:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ
“Indeed, Allah commands justice and excellence.”
(Surah an-Nahl 16:90)

The Prophet ﷺ was the first to obey this command. His companions and even his enemies testified that he was fair, honest, and balanced in every situation.

Justice Over Tribalism and Personal Ties

Arab society before Islam was strongly tribal. People usually defended their relatives whether they were right or wrong. The Prophet ﷺ came with a very different standard. He taught that justice stands above family, tribe, and personal benefit.

Allah says:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّامِينَ بِالْقِسْطِ شُهَدَاءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوْ عَلَى أَنْفُسِكُمْ أَوِ الْوَالِدَيْنِ وَالْأَقْرَبِينَ
“O you who believe, stand firmly for justice as witnesses for Allah, even if it is against yourselves, or parents, or close relatives.”
(Surah an-Nisa 4:135)

The Prophet ﷺ applied this in real cases. One famous example is the case of a noble woman from the tribe of Banu Makhzum who stole. Some people wanted to protect her from the legal punishment because she came from an important family, so they asked Usamah ibn Zayd رضي الله عنه, who was beloved to the Prophet ﷺ, to speak on her behalf.

When Usamah tried to intercede, the Prophet ﷺ became visibly upset and said:

«أَتَشْفَعُ فِي حَدٍّ مِنْ حُدُودِ اللَّهِ؟»
“Are you interceding regarding one of the limits set by Allah?”
Then he stood and addressed the people:
«إِنَّمَا أَهْلَكَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ، أَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا إِذَا سَرَقَ فِيهِمُ الشَّرِيفُ تَرَكُوهُ، وَإِذَا سَرَقَ فِيهِمُ الضَّعِيفُ أَقَامُوا عَلَيْهِ الْحَدَّ، وَايْمُ اللَّهِ، لَوْ أَنَّ فَاطِمَةَ بِنْتَ مُحَمَّدٍ سَرَقَتْ لَقَطَعْتُ يَدَهَا»
“Those before you were destroyed because when a noble person among them stole, they left him, but when a weak one stole, they carried out the punishment on him. By Allah, if Fatimah the daughter of Muhammad were to steal, I would cut off her hand.”
(Al-Bukhari, Muslim)

This incident shows that for the Prophet ﷺ, justice was above emotional attachment. He did not allow status, love, or nearness to change the law of Allah.

Justice Between People and Fair Treatment

The Prophet ﷺ was just not only in major legal cases but also in everyday interactions. He taught that justice must appear in speech, in distribution of time and attention, and in what is given or taken.

One clear example is his insistence on justice between children. Nuʿman ibn Bashir رضي الله عنه narrated that his father gave him a gift and wanted the Prophet ﷺ to witness it. The Prophet ﷺ asked:

«أَكُلَّ وَلَدِكَ نَحَلْتَ مِثْلَ هَذَا؟»
“Have you given all your children the same as this?”
When he replied no, the Prophet ﷺ said:
«فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ، وَاعْدِلُوا بَيْنَ أَوْلَادِكُمْ»
“Fear Allah and be just among your children.”
(Al-Bukhari, Muslim)

He refused to witness a gift that was unjust. This shows how seriously he saw even small acts of unfairness.

Another example is found in his dealings with non Muslims under the protection of the Muslim community. He warned:

«أَلَا مَنْ ظَلَمَ مُعَاهَدًا، أَوِ انْتَقَصَهُ، أَوْ كَلَّفَهُ فَوْقَ طَاقَتِهِ، أَوْ أَخَذَ مِنْهُ شَيْئًا بِغَيْرِ طِيبِ نَفْسٍ، فَأَنَا حَجِيجُهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ»
“Whoever wrongs a non Muslim under covenant, or diminishes his right, or burdens him with more than he can bear, or takes from him something without his consent, I will be his opponent on the Day of Resurrection.”
(Abu Dawud)

This statement shows that his justice covered everyone in society. He did not restrict fairness to Muslims only.

Justice in Leadership and Judgment

As a leader and judge, the Prophet ﷺ refused to let emotion or personal wishes interfere with the truth. He was careful not to appear as if he favored someone without evidence.

In a well known incident regarding a dispute over ownership, he ﷺ said:

«إِنَّكُمْ تَخْتَصِمُونَ إِلَيَّ، وَلَعَلَّ بَعْضَكُمْ أَنْ يَكُونَ أَلْحَنَ بِحُجَّتِهِ مِنْ بَعْضٍ، فَأَقْضِيَ لَهُ عَلَى نَحْوِ مَا أَسْمَعُ، فَمَنْ قَضَيْتُ لَهُ مِنْ حَقِّ أَخِيهِ بِشَيْءٍ، فَلَا يَأْخُذْهُ، فَإِنَّمَا أَقْطَعُ لَهُ قِطْعَةً مِنَ النَّارِ»
“You bring your disputes to me, and perhaps some of you may be more eloquent in presenting his argument than others, so I judge according to what I hear. So whoever I give a portion of his brother’s right, then let him not take it. I am only cutting out for him a portion of the Fire.”
(Al-Bukhari, Muslim)

Here the Prophet ﷺ clarified that legal victory is not always moral victory. Justice with Allah depends on the actual right, not only on what is proven in court.

In another report, he clarified that positions of authority are a trust. He said:

«إِنَّكُمْ سَتَحْرِصُونَ عَلَى الإِمَارَةِ، وَإِنَّهَا سَتَكُونُ نَدَامَةً يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ، فَنِعْمَ الْمُرْضِعَةُ، وَبِئْسَتِ الْفَاطِمَةُ»
“You will be keen for leadership, but it will be a cause of regret on the Day of Resurrection. What a good nurse it is, and what an evil weaning it is.”
(Al-Bukhari)

This reflects his awareness that true justice in leadership is heavy and must be carried with fear of Allah, not with desire for power.

Justice with Himself and His Family

The Prophet ﷺ did not place himself above others when it came to justice. He rejected special privilege or protection that would make him immune to accountability. Allah ordered him clearly:

قُلْ إِنَّمَا أَنَا بَشَرٌ مِثْلُكُمْ يُوحَىٰ إِلَيَّ
“Say, I am only a human being like you, to whom revelation has been sent.”
(Surah al-Kahf 18:110)

He lived this command by inviting people to seek their rights from him openly. Once he ﷺ said to the companions:

«مَنْ كُنْتُ جَلَدْتُ لَهُ ظَهْرًا فَهَذَا ظَهْرِي فَلْيَسْتَقِدْ مِنْهُ، وَمَنْ كُنْتُ شَتَمْتُ لَهُ عِرْضًا فَهَذَا عِرْضِي فَلْيَسْتَقِدْ مِنْهُ»
“Whoever I have struck on his back, here is my back, let him take his retaliation. And whoever I have insulted his honor, here is my honor, let him take his retaliation.”
(Reported in ad-Daraqutni and others; scholars mention it with supporting chains)

Even if there is discussion among scholars about the exact wording, the general meaning is supported by his well known humility and fairness. He did not consider himself above correction or accountability.

He also practiced justice in his family life with his wives in time, provision, and outward treatment. Allah commanded:

فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا فَوَاحِدَةً
“But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one.”
(Surah an-Nisa 4:3)

He ﷺ divided his time and nights in a clear and known way and said:

«اللَّهُمَّ هَذَا قَسْمِي فِيمَا أَمْلِكُ، فَلَا تُلِمْنِي فِيمَا تَمْلِكُ وَلَا أَمْلِكُ»
“O Allah, this is my division concerning what I control, so do not blame me for what You control and I do not control.”
(Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi)

He acknowledged that emotional inclination is in the heart and not fully under human control, but in practice he was extremely careful to be fair.

The Foundation of His Forgiveness

Just as justice was central to his character, forgiveness was also a constant and shining quality. His forgiveness did not come from weakness or fear. It came from strength, trust in Allah, and mercy.

Allah praised those who forgive:

وَالْعَافِينَ عَنِ النَّاسِ وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ
“Those who pardon people, and Allah loves the doers of good.”
(Surah Al Imran 3:134)

In another verse Allah says:

فَاعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَاصْفَحْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ
“So pardon them and overlook. Indeed, Allah loves the doers of good.”
(Surah al-Ma’idah 5:13)

The Prophet ﷺ lived these verses fully. He viewed forgiveness as a path to Allah’s pleasure and as a way to soften hearts and reform people. He said:

«مَا نَقَصَتْ صَدَقَةٌ مِنْ مَالٍ، وَمَا زَادَ اللَّهُ عَبْدًا بِعَفْوٍ إِلَّا عِزًّا»
“Charity does not decrease wealth, and Allah does not increase a servant who forgives except in honor.”
(Muslim)

So in his teaching, forgiveness brings more respect, not less. Honor with Allah and often honor with people.

Forgiveness at the Height of Power

The clearest example of his forgiveness is at the Conquest of Makkah. For years the Quraysh had mocked him, tortured his followers, driven them out of their homes, and fought wars against him. When he finally entered Makkah with strength and authority, many expected severe punishment.

He stood before the people of Makkah who were now at his mercy and asked:

«مَا تَظُنُّونَ أَنِّي فَاعِلٌ بِكُمْ؟»
“What do you think I will do to you?”
They replied:
“You are a noble brother and the son of a noble brother.”
He said:
«لَا تَثْرِيبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْيَوْمَ، يَغْفِرُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ، اذْهَبُوا فَأَنْتُمُ الطُّلَقَاءُ»
“No blame will there be upon you today. May Allah forgive you. Go, for you are free.”
(Reported in Ibn Hisham and others; the phrase “لا تثريب عليكم اليوم” is from Yusuf’s words in Surah Yusuf 12:92)

He used the same wording that Prophet Yusuf عليه السلام used for his brothers who had wronged him:

لَا تَثْرِيبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْيَوْمَ ۖ يَغْفِرُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ
“No blame will there be upon you today. May Allah forgive you.”
(Surah Yusuf 12:92)

This forgiveness at a moment of full power is one of the strongest proofs of his noble character. He could have taken revenge or imposed severe punishments, yet he chose mercy and general amnesty.

Forgiveness in Personal Offences

In personal matters, the Prophet ﷺ almost always chose forgiveness and patience. Anas ibn Malik رضي الله عنه, who served him for ten years, said:

“I served the Messenger of Allah ﷺ for ten years. By Allah, he never said to me ‘uff’ (a word of annoyance), and he never said about something I had done, ‘Why did you do that?’ or about something I had not done, ‘Why did you not do that?’”
(Al-Bukhari, Muslim)

He forgave mistakes, especially from those who were young or ignorant. Anas also narrated that a Bedouin came and pulled the Prophet’s cloak harshly so that its edge left a mark on his neck, then demanded money. The Prophet ﷺ turned to him, smiled, and ordered that he be given something. This is reported in different wordings in al-Bukhari and Muslim.

The Prophet ﷺ used such moments to teach, not to crush people. His heart was not quick to seek revenge for himself. Aishah رضي الله عنها said:

«مَا ضَرَبَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ شَيْئًا قَطُّ بِيَدِهِ، وَلَا امْرَأَةً، وَلَا خَادِمًا، إِلَّا أَنْ يُجَاهِدَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ، وَمَا نِيلَ مِنْهُ شَيْءٌ قَطُّ فَيَنْتَقِمَ مِنْ صَاحِبِهِ، إِلَّا أَنْ يُنْتَهَكَ شَيْءٌ مِنْ مَحَارِمِ اللَّهِ، فَيَنْتَقِمَ لِلَّهِ»
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ never struck anything with his hand, not a woman nor a servant, except when he fought in the path of Allah. And he was never harmed by anything so that he would seek revenge, except when something from the sacred limits of Allah was violated, then he would seek revenge for Allah.”
(Muslim)

This narration clearly shows the difference between personal affairs and the rights of Allah. In his own matters he forgave. When the limits of Allah were broken he responded for the sake of truth, not his ego.

Balancing Justice and Forgiveness

The Prophet ﷺ did not use forgiveness to cancel justice completely, nor did he use justice as an excuse for harshness. He balanced both, each in its proper place. Forgiveness was often encouraged when the right was personal and when forgiving could bring reformation and unity. Justice was firmly applied when rights of others or the limits set by Allah were involved.

Allah summarized this balance:

وَجَزَاءُ سَيِّئَةٍ سَيِّئَةٌ مِثْلُهَا فَمَنْ عَفَا وَأَصْلَحَ فَأَجْرُهُ عَلَى اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الظَّالِمِينَ
“And the recompense of an evil is an evil like it, but whoever pardons and makes reconciliation then his reward is with Allah. Indeed, He does not love the wrongdoers.”
(Surah ash-Shura 42:40)

The verse allows equal response, which is justice, and then praises those who forgive and reform, which is a higher level of excellence.

The Prophet ﷺ taught the same principle in practice. In cases of murder, for example, he applied the law of retribution when the family wanted it, but he also praised those who chose to forgive and accept compensation or even to completely pardon for the sake of Allah.

Forgiving Those Who Hurt Him Deeply

Some acts against the Prophet ﷺ were very painful, yet he still chose mercy. At Ta’if, he was rejected and stoned. His feet bled, and he was extremely saddened. The angel of the mountains came to him with permission to crush the people between the mountains if he wished. Instead he ﷺ said:

«بَلْ أَرْجُو أَنْ يُخْرِجَ اللَّهُ مِنْ أَصْلَابِهِمْ مَنْ يَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ وَحْدَهُ، لَا يُشْرِكُ بِهِ شَيْئًا»
“Rather, I hope that Allah will bring from their descendants those who will worship Allah alone, not associating anything with Him.”
(Al-Bukhari, Muslim)

His forgiveness was not only for the present people. It was mercy for future generations as well.

Another painful event was the slander against Aishah رضي الله عنها. Hypocrites spread lies about her honor. The Prophet ﷺ suffered greatly. He did not act based on anger or suspicion. He waited until revelation came to clear her name in Surah an-Nur. When some of those involved in the slander received their legal punishment, he did not add any extra personal revenge. He accepted what Allah had judged and moved forward.

Forgiveness and Teaching Good Character

The Prophet ﷺ used forgiveness as a teaching tool. When people made mistakes, he often redirected them gently instead of humiliating them. A man once came and said openly:

“O Messenger of Allah, I am ruined.”
He had committed relations with his wife in the day of Ramadan. The Prophet ﷺ did not insult him. He asked questions, gave him expiation to perform, and finally even smiled and helped him when he was too poor to pay. This is narrated in al-Bukhari and Muslim.

In another example, a Bedouin urinated in the masjid. The companions became angry and tried to stop him harshly. The Prophet ﷺ told them to leave him until he finished to avoid greater harm. Then he called him gently, explained that the masjid is a place of prayer, and ordered water to be poured over the urine. He said to the companions:

«إِنَّمَا بُعِثْتُمْ مُيَسِّرِينَ وَلَمْ تُبْعَثُوا مُعَسِّرِينَ»
“You were sent to make things easy, not to make things difficult.”
(Al-Bukhari in meaning through similar reports)

Here forgiveness and calm teaching created a better result than anger would have.

Seeking Allah’s Forgiveness for Others

His forgiving nature extended beyond his own feelings. He continuously asked Allah to forgive his followers. Allah says:

لَقَدْ جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مِنْ أَنْفُسِكُمْ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيْهِ مَا عَنِتُّمْ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيْكُمْ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَءُوفٌ رَحِيمٌ
“There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer. He is concerned over you and to the believers he is kind and merciful.”
(Surah at-Tawbah 9:128)

He ﷺ made duʿa for his people repeatedly. In one report he said:

«اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِ قَوْمِي فَإِنَّهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ»
“O Allah, guide my people, for they do not know.”
(Ahmad and others)

Even in battles, his concern was not just victory but guidance and forgiveness.

He also sought forgiveness for his Ummah in the night prayer. It is reported that he recited in his sujud:

«اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَمَا أَخَّرْتُ، وَمَا أَسْرَرْتُ وَمَا أَعْلَنْتُ، وَمَا أَسْرَفْتُ، وَمَا أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ مِنِّي»
“O Allah, forgive me for what I have sent forward and what I have delayed, what I have hidden and what I have made public, what I have done in excess, and what You know better about than me.”
(Muslim)

Although this duʿa is about himself, in many other narrations he devoted long parts of his nights asking forgiveness for his Ummah. This reinforces that his character was one of constant seeking of Allah’s mercy for others.

The Model for the Believer

The justice and forgiveness of the Prophet ﷺ together form a complete example for Muslims. Believers are called to follow him in both qualities and to place each in its correct situation.

Allah made him the model:

لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ
“Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example.”
(Surah al-Ahzab 33:21)

This includes his balanced way of protecting rights firmly when necessary, while also being ready to pardon when that brings goodness and does not support injustice.

In personal wrongs, a believer should remember how the Prophet ﷺ forgave those who hurt him and said:

«مَنْ كَظَمَ غَيْظًا، وَهُوَ قَادِرٌ عَلَى أَنْ يُنْفِذَهُ، دَعَاهُ اللَّهُ عَلَى رُءُوسِ الْخَلَائِقِ، حَتَّى يُخَيِّرَهُ مِنَ الْحُورِ الْعِينِ مَا شَاءَ»
“Whoever suppresses his anger while able to act upon it, Allah will call him in front of all creation so that He lets him choose of the wide eyed maidens of Paradise what he wishes.”
(Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi)

In matters of rights and responsibilities, a believer should remember his statement:

«الْمُسْلِمُ أَخُو الْمُسْلِمِ، لَا يَظْلِمُهُ وَلَا يَخْذُلُهُ»
“The Muslim is the brother of the Muslim. He does not wrong him and does not abandon him.”
(Al-Bukhari, Muslim)

The Prophet ﷺ combined both: never oppressing anyone and often surrendering his own right to forgive.

In this way, the character of the Prophet ﷺ becomes a living guide. His life shows how a servant of Allah can stand firmly for truth and still keep a heart full of mercy, how one can be completely just and still be deeply forgiving.