Is true forgiveness solely God's work?

The question, "Is true forgiveness solely God's work?" delves into a fundamental concept within Islamic theology and ethics, prompting a nuanced understanding of forgiveness as presented in the Holy Quran. The definitive answer, according to the Quran, is no; true forgiveness is not exclusively God's work. Rather, it encompasses two crucial dimensions: divine forgiveness and human forgiveness. Both aspects hold profound significance and are, in essence, interconnected and complementary. Allah (God) in the Quran introduces Himself with numerous sublime attributes such as "Al-Ghafur" (The All-Forgiving), "Al-Ghaffar" (The Repeatedly Forgiving), "At-Tawwab" (The Acceptor of Repentance), and "Ar-Rahim" (The Most Merciful). These names and attributes unequivocally declare that the ultimate and absolute forgiveness of sins and transgressions belongs to God alone. It is He who forgives both major and minor sins, provided that His servants seek His forgiveness with sincere repentance (tawbah nasuh) and a genuine return to Him. Surah Az-Zumar, verse 53, beautifully articulates this profound mercy: "Say, 'O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.'" This verse radiates hope, illuminating the path for every sinner and reassuring them that the door to God's mercy is always open. Divine forgiveness is boundless and all-encompassing; no sin is too great for Allah to forgive, except for associating partners with Him (Shirk) if one dies without repenting from it, as stated in Surah An-Nisa, verse 116: "Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allah has certainly gone far astray." This distinction underscores the gravity of shirk while affirming God's expansive mercy for all other sins. However, another vital aspect of forgiveness, extensively emphasized in the Quran, is "human forgiveness." This refers to individuals waiving their rights in response to wrongdoing or harm inflicted upon them by others. The Quran strongly encourages believers to practice 'afw (pardoning) and safh (overlooking). 'Afw implies forgiving the wrongdoing itself, while safh suggests turning away from it and not dwelling on it. This form of forgiveness is not merely a sign of magnanimity and noble character; it is also a powerful means to attract divine mercy and forgiveness. Surah An-Nur, verse 22, elegantly illustrates this connection: "...And let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." This verse explicitly establishes a profound reciprocity: if individuals desire Allah to forgive their sins, they too must forgive the transgressions of others. It highlights a divine equation, demonstrating that human forgiveness serves as a key to unlocking the gates of divine pardon. Furthermore, in Surah Ash-Shura, verse 40, we read: "And the recompense of an evil deed is an evil deed like it. But whoever pardons and makes reconciliation - his reward is [due] from Allah. Indeed, He does not like wrongdoers." This verse promises immense reward for those who forgive and reconcile, stipulating that their recompense lies directly with Allah. This clearly indicates that human forgiveness is a virtuous act highly valued by God. It elevates the one who forgives, transforming a potentially vengeful act into an act of profound spiritual merit. Therefore, true forgiveness in Islam encompasses both dimensions. God's forgiveness is absolute, ultimately conditional on repentance, and pertains to a servant's sins against God. Human forgiveness, on the other hand, is relative and pertains to rights infringed upon by others. This type of forgiveness not only purifies hearts and fosters peace and reconciliation within society but also serves as a pathway to achieving divine forgiveness and mercy. When a human being, despite having the ability to retaliate or seek retribution, chooses to forgo their right and forgive the other party, they are, in essence, manifesting an attribute of Allah within themselves. In return, Allah bestows upon them His grace and benevolence. This act demonstrates piety, faith, and nobility of spirit. Indeed, by forgiving others, individuals prepare themselves to receive a greater forgiveness from Allah. This comprehensive view of forgiveness not only brings inner peace to the individual but also steers society towards greater solidarity and empathy. Allah has appointed humanity as His vicegerents on Earth and expects them to embody divine attributes, with 'afw and Ghufran (forgiveness) being among the most beautiful. Thus, true forgiveness is both an absolute divine act and a noble, effective human virtue that ultimately leads back to divine forgiveness and mercy. These two facets of forgiveness truly form the warp and woof of the concept of "maghfirah" (forgiveness) in Islam and are inextricably linked.