'' Our Lord ! grant us good in this world and good in the hereafter and save us from the torment of the Fire '' [Ameen]
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{in Arab} :->
Rabbanaa aatinaa fid-dunyaa hasanatan wafil aakhirati hasanatan waqinaa 'athaaban-naar/-
(Surah Al-Baqarah ,verse 201)
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and others: "Forgive the people of good character for their mistakes"?
I have read that some people are not sure about it because it
contradicts the Qur'aan and its verses which call for equality and
justice.
Praise be to Allaah.
This hadeeth was narrated by Imam Ahmad, Abu Dawood, al-Nasaa'i,
al-Bayhaqi and others from 'Aa'ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her),
who said that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: "Forgive the people of good character for their mistakes, except
in cases of hadd punishments."
It has other isnaads which are not free of faults, but when taken
together render the hadeeth hasan.
What is meant by the hadeeth is that it is recommended not to take
people of good character to task if they slip up or make mistakes
which are out of character, except in cases where a hadd punishment is
required and news of the sin reaches the ruler, in which case the hadd
punishment must be carried out.
What is meant by "people of good character" is ordinary people who
possess an honourable attitude and other praiseworthy characteristics,
those who are always obedient and are known for their good character,
but who may slip sometimes and commit sins. This meaning was narrated
by Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) who said: The Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not call the pious who
worship a great deal "people of good character" and this phrase is not
used in the words of Allaah or His Messenger to describe the obedient
and pious. It seems that it refers to those who are respected among
the people for their status and high position. Allaah has singled them
out for a kind of honour above others of their kind, meaning that if a
person is modest and of good character, but then he slips up and the
Shaytaan overpowers him briefly (and makes him do something out of
character), we should not hasten to rebuke him and punish him, rather
his mistake should be forgiven, provided that it does not involve
transgressing one of the sacred limits of Allaah (for which a hadd
punishment is required), because the hadd punishment must be carried
out regardless of whether the one who deserves it is regarded as
honourable or ignoble. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) said: "Those who came before you were destroyed because if a
nobleman among them stole they would let him off, but if a weak and
insignificant person stole they would carry out the punishment on him.
By Allaah, if Faatimah the daughter of Muhammad were to steal, I would
cut off her hand." Saheeh - agreed upon. This highlights one of the
wonderful aspects of this perfect sharee'ah.
End quote.
From the above it may be understood that the meaning of this hadeeth
does not contradict the principle of equality and justice in Islam,
rather it encourages overlooking sins and mistakes that are not
subject to hadd punishments if they are committed by people who do not
ordinarily do such things, and if not imposing a ta'zeer punishment
will not lead to further trouble.
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