Let’s face it, as human beings we are continually facing trials and tribulations, be it from natural causes or more often, at the hands of fellow human beings. Don’t you find it difficult to forgive those who’ve hurt us, betrayed us or endangered our lives? But as Muslims, we are taught to forgive. ❤️
“...and let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allah should forgive you?”
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It takes courage to forgive the ones who hurt us, but it takes a certain amount of bravery to forgive those who hurt the ones we love. Here are stories of our Muslim brothers and sisters who are setting an example for a better world.
1. Abdul-Munim Sombat Jitmoud (Kentucky, USA)
They say a parent should never have to bury their child. For Sombat Jitmoud, losing his 22 year-old son, Salahuddin, did not stop him from forgiving the murderer, Trey Relford with open arms. ❤️
“Forgiveness is the greatest gift of charity in Islam,” said the former Islamic school principal. Salahuddin who worked for a Pizza Hut delivery was the unfortunate target of a robbery. Relford, who was saved from the death penalty by Jitmoud’s kindness, was instead sentenced to 31 years in prison.
2. Rukiye Abdul-Mutakallim (Ohio, USA)
Rukiye lost her son, Suliman Ahmed, to a gunned robbery. The perpetrators, a 16 year-old boy Javon Coulter and two other teens shot Suliman as he walked home carrying food for himself and his wife. For Rukiye, her son’s death has been fated and instead of holding vengeance, she chose to forgive them and wants to be part of their lives so they can become better people. Rukiye reverted to Islam in her late teens and in practicing Islam, she believes that vengeance will not bring her son back and so she comforted Coulter and his mother with a sincere hug. ?
3. Nasser Kurdy (Manchester, UK)
Kurdy is a surgeon who worked hard to treat the Manchester Arena bombing victims. Who would’ve thought that he too would become a victim of a hate crime. He was stabbed from behind with a knife as he was on his way to perform prayers at Altrincham Islamic Centre in Cheshire. Although he suffered a 3cm wound to the back of his neck, he was lucky that it wasn’t fatal. Kurdy was not angered and instead he empathised with the reality that hate crimes ruin communities. He said, "He is not representative of what this country stands for. I have absolutely no anger or hate or anything negative towards him. I have declared it, I have totally forgiven him,” teaching us that forgiveness is bigger than fear. ?
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Let their loss and hardship strengthen our faith and inspire forgiveness in our lives. Let us follow the teachings of Quran and the footsteps of our Prophet, “Be merciful to others and you will receive mercy. Forgive others and Allah will forgive you.” ?