Allah forsakes those who forsake eachother

Imam Mohammad Aasim Mirza

6/17/20192 min read

It is only natural to have misunderstandings with others, especially if you speak with someone regularly. Fundamentally, we are all brothers and sisters in Islam and unless one’s rights have been grossly violated, it is better to reconcile with one another, for the sake of Allah عزوجل.

Sometimes the wrong we do onto others or they do on to us can be so unforgivable, that moving on may not always be possible. The emphasis, however, placed by the blessed Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم on reconciliation is quite significant; once he صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم was asked about why he fasted on Mondays and Thursdays to which he صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم replied:

إِنَّ يَوْمَ الاِثْنَيْنِ وَالْخَمِيسِ يَغْفِرُ اللَّهُ فِيهِمَا لِكُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ إِلاَّ مُهْتَجِرَيْنِ يَقُولُ دَعْهُمَا حَتَّى يَصْطَلِحَا

On Mondays and Thursdays Allah forgives every Muslim except two who have forsaken one another. He [Allah] says: ‘Leave these two until they reconcile.’ — Ibn Majah #1740

If, by putting aside our personal feelings for His عزوجل sake, can invite His عزوجل forgiveness then let us cast aside our prejudices and come to an understanding with whom we have broken ties with, for there is no reality truer than the one that awaits us all.

Having said the above, it is important to remember that there is a distinction between forgiving someone and forgetting what they did. Since our duties to one another are governed by the laws of Allah عزوجل, so, too are our relationships. When we love each other we do so for the sake of Allah عزوجل, when we dislike each other, we do so only for the sake of Allah عزوجل. Forgetting, on the other hand, is an entirely separate thing.

We are not obliged to forget the harm that someone has caused us, so it is permissible to keep distance from someone who you know will hurt you. In fact, it is notable that it is usually when two people transgress in their relationships, or are excessive with one anotherengaging in backbiting, cheating, lying, etc.—that is where the troubles begin, because now their relationship is no longer for the sake of Allahعزوجل, in fact, it is to satisfy their nafs—base desires—instead. Perhaps, had they maintained the boundaries that Allah عزوجل has set, there would have been barakaha blessed increasein their relationship.

And Allah عزوجل and His Messenger صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم know best.