In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful
Allah has praised those who respond to evil with good deeds. Those who repel evil with good will find that their enemies will become their friends.
Allah said:
34. And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend.
35. But none is granted it except those who are patient, and none is granted it except one having a great portion [of good].
(Surah Fussilat 41:34-35)
Ibn Abbas commented on this verse, saying:
‘Allah commands the believers to be patient when they feel angry, to be forbearing when confronted with ignorance, and to forgive when they are mistreated. If they do this, Allah will save them from Satan and subdue their enemies to them until they become like close friends.’
Allah has commanded the believers in several verses to repel evil with good by being patient, merciful, and forgiving when confronted with mistreatment.
Allah said:
“Those who patiently persevere seeking the countenance their Lord; establish regular prayers; spend out of (the gifts) We have bestowed for their sustenance secretly and openly; and turn off Evil with good: for such there is the final attainment of the (Eternal) Home.”
(Surat ar-Ra’d 13:22)
“Twice will they be given their reward for that they have persevered that they avert Evil with Good and that they spend (in charity) out of what We have given them.”
(Surat al-Qasas 28:54)
“Repel evil with that which is best: We are well-acquainted with the things they say.”
(Surat al-Mu’minun 23:96)
“Those who spend (freely) whether in prosperity or in adversity; who restrain anger and pardon (all) men; for Allah loves those who do good.”
(Surat Ali Imran 3:134)
The Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) has taught us to respond with good deeds to those who are evil to us.
Aisha (RadiyAllahu Anha) reported:
‘The Prophet was not indecent, he was not obscene, he would not shout in the markets, and he would not respond to an evil deed with an evil deed, but rather he would pardon and overlook.’
[Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2016, Grade: Sahih]
Abdullah ibn Amr (RadiyAllahu Anhu) reported that Allah has described the Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) as follows:
“I have called you a trustworthy man who is neither rude nor loud in the markets, nor does he return evil with evil, but rather he pardons and forgives.”
[Source: Sahih Bukhari 2018, Grade: Sahih]
Abu Huraira (RadiyAllahu Anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:
“No servant is wronged by an oppressor and he forgives him for the sake of Allah except that Allah the Exalted will support him.”
[Source: Musnad Ahmad 9411, Grade: Sahih]
Uqbah ibn Amir (RadiyAllahu Anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:
“Reconcile with whoever cuts you off, give to whoever deprives you and turn away from whoever wrongs you.”
[Source: Musnad Ahmad 16883, Grade: Sahih li ghayri]
In another narration, the Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said:
“And forgive whoever wrongs you!”
[Source: Musnad Ahmad 16999]
Abu Huraira (RadiyAllahu Anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:
“Fulfill the trust of those to whom they are due, and do not be treacherous to the one who betrays you.”
[Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 1264, Grade: Hasan]
We should try to maintain good relations with those who severe ties with us, to give to those who do not give to us, and to forgive those who oppress us. The truly virtuous person is not the one who is good to those who are good to him, but rather the one who is good to those who are evil to him.