Friday sermon outline

Forgiving people

Allah forgives those who forgive. The verse asks a question that ends most grudges. What we hold against people is what we ask Allah to hold against us.

Centrepiece

Surah an-Nur 24:22

Outline

1
The verse that disarms
Allah says: let them pardon and let them overlook. Do you not love that Allah should forgive you? (Nur 24:22). The verse was revealed when Abu Bakr swore never to support a relative who had slandered Aisha. Abu Bakr resumed his support.
2
Forgiving for Allah, not the offender
The Prophet ﷺ was offered the opportunity to destroy Ta'if, the city that had stoned him. He refused and said: I hope Allah will bring forth from their offspring those who will worship Him (Bukhari 3231). He forgave because of who Allah is, not because they deserved it.
3
What forgiveness is not
It is not pretending the harm did not happen. It is not putting yourself back in the path of someone dangerous. It is releasing your claim on revenge and handing the file to Allah, who is the more capable Judge.

Closing line

Send the message. Make the call. Walk over to them. Begin the easier life that opens on the other side of the held grudge.

Aisha (RA) reported: the Prophet's ﷺ khutbahs were of moderate length and his prayers were short (Sahih Muslim 869). Aim for fifteen to twenty minutes. Two sections separated by a brief sitting is the Sunnah pattern.

Outline

The verse that disarms

Allah says: let them pardon and let them overlook. Do you not love that Allah should forgive you? (Nur 24:22). The verse was revealed when Abu Bakr swore never to support a relative who had slandered Aisha. Abu Bakr resumed his support.

Forgiving for Allah, not the offender

The Prophet ﷺ was offered the opportunity to destroy Ta'if, the city that had stoned him. He refused and said: I hope Allah will bring forth from their offspring those who will worship Him (Bukhari 3231). He forgave because of who Allah is, not because they deserved it.

What forgiveness is not

It is not pretending the harm did not happen. It is not putting yourself back in the path of someone dangerous. It is releasing your claim on revenge and handing the file to Allah, who is the more capable Judge.