Ash-Shuraa · Makki · ayah 39 of 53

Ash-Shuraa 42:39

وَٱلَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَصَابَهُمُ ٱلْبَغْىُ هُمْ يَنتَصِرُونَ

“And those who, when tyranny strikes them, they retaliate [in a just manner].[1425]”

Saheeh International

Essence

The same people who forgive in anger also stand up when injustice strikes them, and refuse to be trampled, without going one step too far.

A reflection

Forgiving is not the same as being a doormat

A junior architect watches her manager present her designs as his own, for the third time. She has been told to be gracious. This time she has dated every draft. In the meeting she says, calmly: that scheme is mine, and here is the file. Nobody shouts. Nobody presents her work again.

Two ayat ago, the believers were described as people who forgive even when they are angry (42:37). Now the same list adds: wa-alladhīna idhā aṣābahumu al-baghyu hum yantaṣirūn. And those who, when injustice strikes them, defend themselves.

Many readers assume the believer's ideal is always to absorb the blow. The Quran's picture is wider. One commentator notes the parallel grammar. They are the ones especially marked by forgiving. They are also the ones especially marked by defending themselves within what Allah allows, without overstepping as others do. They are praised in both states.

The commentators explain how both fit. Pardon belongs with the helpless wrongdoer who admits his fault. Defending oneself belongs with the persistent aggressor. If each were put in the other's place, both would become blameworthy. One commentator quotes a classical poet. Generosity placed where the sword belongs does as much harm as the sword placed where generosity belongs.

Another commentator sets out two situations. If the wrongdoer is brazen and harms young and old openly, standing up to him is better. If it is a slip by someone who admits it and asks forgiveness, pardon is better.

The architect had forgiven twice. The third time, silence would have taught her manager that her work was his to take. Speaking up was not a failure of forgiveness. It was the other half of the same character.

The question is never only, should I forgive? It is, what does this person and this moment need?

The full entry has 5 more reflections, questions to sit with, and "Live it today" - with the words, the roots and the tafsir alongside. Free, no account, works offline.