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.
First khutbah
- 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.
Second khutbah
After the brief sitting, return to the centrepiece and gather the message into one clear request. Remind the congregation that the point of this khutbah is not simply to understand forgiving people, but to carry one honest change into the coming week.
Send the message. Make the call. Walk over to them. Begin the easier life that opens on the other side of the held grudge.
Prepare it in your own voice
- Read each cited verse or hadith in full before using it.
- Add one example that your own congregation will recognise.
- End with one action people can realistically begin today.
Sources for this outline
The centrepiece is Surah an-Nur 24:22. Other references are given beside the points where they are used. Check the full passage, translation, grading, and local fiqh context before delivering the khutbah. An outline helps with preparation, but it does not replace study or qualified scholarship.
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Read this outlineAmmar ibn Yasir (RA) reported that the Prophet ﷺ called a man's long prayer and short khutbah a sign of his understanding (Sahih Muslim 869). Aim for fifteen to twenty minutes. Two sections separated by a brief sitting is the Sunnah pattern.