Let's Forgive and Forget

"It's easier to forgive than to forget". I believe many of us will agree with this saying just like I do. But what does it really mean to everyone? 

Forgiveness is the act of forgiving, state of being forgiven and disposition or willingness to forgive. In certain situations, forgiveness means thinking about the other person as if the offense never took place. I guess this is the most difficult and impossible thing to do! How can people be expected to forget some of the most painful experiences of their lives? Both the offender and the offended will agree on this. Both parties will claim that they are the one who are actually the victim of the other person whom they called the offender. In this case, forgiveness can be difficult, hence forgetting can be downright impossible!

Although the people who have offended you may have many times seek forgiveness from you and you too have many times forgiven them, the memory of their wrong actions against you remains with you and creates a prejudice towards them that results in a lack of trust in the future. You usually reluctant to forgive, particularly if the offender hasn't learned anything from the past. They are not sincere enough in their words and actions. You can see it through the way they treat you and you can feel how much they dislike you.

If this happens, just leave it to Allah, The All-Knowing. He knows what is in our hearts. Forgive them sincerely and treat them the way you want them to treat you.

True forgiveness involves both forgiving and forgetting and this can be achieved by understanding your own feelings as well as those of the person who wronged you, expressing your feelings in a rational matter, realizing that your relationship is more important than being right and finally accepting the other person's apology.

So, let us all forgive and forget. May Allah s.w.t. bless all of us and accept our forgiveness. Let's pray for peace and may He strengthen our iman and taqwa.

Salam Ramadhan 1431Hijriah