[numinertyuesk]

Muhammad () is the Messenger of Allah, and those who are with him are severe against disbelievers, and merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and falling down prostrate (in prayer), seeking Bounty from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure. The mark of them (i.e. of their Faith) is on their faces (foreheads) from the traces of (their) prostration (during prayers). This is their description in the Taurat (Torah). But their description in the Injeel (Gospel) is like a (sown) seed which sends forth its shoot, then makes it strong, it then becomes thick, and it stands straight on its stem, delighting the sowers that He may enrage the disbelievers with them. Allah has promised those among them who believe (i.e. all those who follow Islamic Monotheism, the religion of Prophet Muhammad till the Day of Resurrection) and do righteous good deeds, forgiveness and a mighty reward (i.e. Paradise).


O you who believe! Whoever from among you turns back from his religion (Islam), Allah will bring a people whom He will love and they will love Him; humble towards the believers, stern towards the disbelievers, fighting in the Way of Allah, and never afraid of the blame of the blamers. That is the Grace of Allah which He bestows on whom He wills. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower.

O Prophet (Muhammad )! Strive hard against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be severe against them, their abode will be Hell, and worst indeed is that destination.

[Immerymopay]

You can add this one to help with the puzzle -

It was not [proper] for the people of Madinah and those surrounding them of the bedouins that they remain behind after [the departure of] the Messenger of Allah or that they prefer themselves over his self. That is because they are not afflicted by thirst or fatigue or hunger in the cause of Allah , nor do they tread on any ground that enrages the disbelievers, nor do they inflict upon an enemy any infliction but that is registered for them as a righteous deed. Indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of the doers of good. 9:120

Stern with them..? The first step is to accept in our hearts the ones mentioned in the verses in this post & the first post instead of us pleasing the kufaar by joining in their chorus of swearing & cursing them.

[Sipewrio]

You can add this one to help with the puzzle -

It was not [proper] for the people of Madinah and those surrounding them of the bedouins that they remain behind after [the departure of] the Messenger of Allah or that they prefer themselves over his self. That is because they are not afflicted by thirst or fatigue or hunger in the cause of Allah , nor do they tread on any ground that enrages the disbelievers, nor do they inflict upon an enemy any infliction but that is registered for them as a righteous deed. Indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of the doers of good. 9:120

Stern with them..? The first step is to accept in our hearts the ones mentioned in the verses in this post & the first post instead of us pleasing the kufaar by joining in their chorus of swearing & cursing them.

Okay, I was just asking what those ayats really meant. Please respect Quran. But anyways, I only wish we respected and honored Muslims like we do to non-Muslims. Yeah we shouldn't curse or swear at them but we also shouldn't honor and respect them too much in the heart???

[wmirkru]

Let us say you have a very good friend who has helped you out many times when you have needed it and more. This friend has a neighbour who is abusive towards your friend...would you be friendly and kind towards the neighbour?

Islam teaches us to be harsh with those non Muslims who have heard the message of Islam and know it really well but who choose to remain as they are. You cannot be harsh with non Muslims who have never heard of Isalimc teachings or know very little about it.

[antilt]

One cannot be stern with non Muslims at all times. How can one call to Islam through harshness and an angry face at all times?

Please listen to this lecture of Shaykh Salman Nadwi from 1:17.40 onwards. The respected shaykh explains the need for a soft approach solely for the purpose of dawah.

[blodwarttufla]

All you guys are cowards. with cowardice approach. The non Muslim make fun of every aspect of our religion and you are preaching about softness. Where is the jalaal? Where is the attitude "I don't care about you non-Muslims I dont want to be like you, you guys should want to be like me" kind of attitude. We are such ____ssies! Please don't ever lower yourself to please a non-Muslim, that is my only concern!

[crestorinfo]

All you guys are cowards. with cowardice approach. The non Muslim make fun of every aspect of our religion and you are preaching about softness. Where is the jalaal? Where is the attitude "I don't care about you non-Muslims I dont want to be like you, you guys should want to be like me" kind of attitude. We are such ____ssies! Please don't ever lower yourself to please a non-Muslim, that is my only concern!

bro I think you over simplified things. There are many types of non-muslims. Each category deserves a particular treatment. There are many different types of attitude one can show towards others. Some like intimate friendship is reserved for Muslims alone. But on the other hand we can be nice to non-muslims who are not harming us.

This is a part of the fatwa by Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam, Darul ifta, UK.



we see that Islam forbids its followers from being very intimate with non-Muslims, but at the same time, it does not prevent one from treating them in a tender and generous manner. Based on the above-mentioned two kinds of examples found in Islamic literature, the scholars and jurists have categorized friendship with non-Muslims into four level and stages:

1) Muwalat or Mawadda: This means to have close and intimate relationship and deep love and affection from one’s heart.

This kind of relationship is reserved only for Muslims; hence it will not be permitted for a Muslim to have this type of friendship with non-Muslims. The verses of the Qur’an prohibiting Muslims from having intimate and close friendship with non-Muslims, especially the first verse of Surah al-Mumtahina, is regarding this kind of relationship.

2) Mudarat: This means to express friendship and love only outwardly without having love for them and their beliefs internally. It is a mere outward expression of the first stage (muwalat), hence it entails being pleasant, friendly, polite and kind towards non-Muslims. It involves expressing good manners, courtesy and good behaviour towards fellow human beings.

This kind of relationship with non-Muslims is permitted, as it is reserved for all human beings, whether Muslim or non-Muslim. This becomes even more important when the objective is to safeguard one’s self from potential harm, invite them towards Islam or when they are one’s guests. The verse of the Qur’an where Allah says “except by way of precaution that you may guard yourselves from them” refers to this type of relationship. However, if one fears corrupting his religious values, then this type of friendship will not be permitted with non-Muslims.

3) Muwasat: This means to help, assist and benefit non-Muslims. It includes charitable help and support, condolences and consolations, and removing harm, such as giving water to a thirsty non-Muslim or food to someone who is hungry.

This is also permitted with all types of non-Muslims except those who are directly at war with Muslims. The verse of the Qur’an where Allah Most High says: “Allah forbids you not, with regards to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loves those who are just” refers to this kind of relationship with non-Muslims.

4) Mu’amalat: This means to deal, transact and trade with non-Muslims. This is also permitted with all non-Muslims except when it is harmful to Islam and Muslims in general.

(Culled from: Ahkam al-Qur’an, al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, Ma’arif al-Qur’an, 2/50-51, Jawahir al-Fiqh, 179-193 and Ifadat Ashrafiyya, P: 11)


Some become quite extreme in their treatment of non-Muslims, in that they consider all kind of contact with non-Muslims to be sinful. They are quite aggressive in their approach towards non-Muslims and also consider Muslims who have any sort of relationship with non-Muslims to be sinful.

This approach is incorrect, as we can see quite clearly from the verses of the Qur’an provided above and from the practice of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) and his noble Companions (Allah be pleased with them all). These people should realize that Islam did not spread through force or aggression, rather people inclined towards Islam by appreciating the amazing behaviour exhibited by Muslims. Many great personalities such as Khalid ibn al-Walid, Amr ibn al-Ass and others (Allah be pleased with them) accepted Islam when they observed the devastating behaviour of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) in the treaty of al-Hudaybiyya. People were shocked and amazed to see such behaviour expressed even towards enemies, hence they were inclined towards Islam.

On the other hand, some Muslims become so close and intimate with non-Muslims to the point that there remains no difference between belief and disbelief. The Qur’an in many verses prohibited us from loving non-Muslims in our hearts; hence it will not be permitted to love them and their beliefs from one’s heart. Yet, some Muslims sit, eat, live and mingle with non-Muslims as though it does not matter whether one believes or otherwise. This is the other extremism which must also be avoided. A Muslim’s life has a purpose which is to live a life that is in accordance with the commands of Allah Almighty and his beloved Messenger (Allah bless him & give him peace), hence true love can only be for those who share the same purpose and not for those who reject this basic purpose of life.


For the full fatwa: http://www.central-mosque.com/fiqh/fnmuslim1.htm

This fatwa cleared a lot of my doubts, especially because I have to interact with a lot of non-muslims. May Allah make it easy for all of us. Ameen.

[quack!]

All you guys are cowards. with cowardice approach. The non Muslim make fun of every aspect of our religion and you are preaching about softness. Where is the jalaal? Where is the attitude "I don't care about you non-Muslims I dont want to be like you, you guys should want to be like me" kind of attitude. We are such ____ssies! Please don't ever lower yourself to please a non-Muslim, that is my only concern!

Take a chill pill bro.

I personally know many non muslims who are very supportive towards Islam and muslims.

But have No intention of accepting Islam as their religion.

Should we be rude to them and reject them??

[caseferter]

Under Surah Maidah Verse 54, Ibn Kathir says: These are the qualities of perfect believers, as they are humble with their believing brothers and allies, stern with their enemies and adversaries.

So I think being stern is with regards to fighting but let the Ulema clarify

And Allah knows best

[Super-Luser]

bro I think you over simplified things. There are many types of non-muslims. Each category deserves a particular treatment. There are many different types of attitude one can show towards others. Some like intimate friendship is reserved for Muslims alone. But on the other hand we can be nice to non-muslims who are not harming us.

JazakAllah kyran for posting this.It gives me a better understanding.

[Honealals]

We should trade with them and be just with them, but we must not love them. We must not become dependent on them. We Muslims trust the kafirun with their paper money that they force us to use, we put it in their banks, they can seize it, reduce its value through inflation and or take it all away. We should take ourselves out of this situation pronto. Be harsh with the hostile kafirun not all of them indiscriminately, and wisdom must be used we cannot alienate others because of our harshness. Our harshness should prompt them to leave kufr.

[YabbaIn]

Muhammad () is the Messenger of Allah, and those who are with him are severe against disbelievers, and merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and falling down prostrate (in prayer), seeking Bounty from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure. The mark of them (i.e. of their Faith) is on their faces (foreheads) from the traces of (their) prostration (during prayers). This is their description in the Taurat (Torah). But their description in the Injeel (Gospel) is like a (sown) seed which sends forth its shoot, then makes it strong, it then becomes thick, and it stands straight on its stem, delighting the sowers that He may enrage the disbelievers with them. Allah has promised those among them who believe (i.e. all those who follow Islamic Monotheism, the religion of Prophet Muhammad till the Day of Resurrection) and do righteous good deeds, forgiveness and a mighty reward (i.e. Paradise).


O you who believe! Whoever from among you turns back from his religion (Islam), Allah will bring a people whom He will love and they will love Him; humble towards the believers, stern towards the disbelievers, fighting in the Way of Allah, and never afraid of the blame of the blamers. That is the Grace of Allah which He bestows on whom He wills. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower.

O Prophet (Muhammad )! Strive hard against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be severe against them, their abode will be Hell, and worst indeed is that destination.

It seems you should be looking at Tafseer to examine the 'reasons for the revelations- asbab al nuzul' you cited and in what context they apply, and how the sahaba, and those who followed them and the righteous ulama understand them.

Ibn Kathir (rh) mentioned this about the first ayah:

"angry without smiling before the disbelievers, smiling and beaming with pleasure before his believing brother" and cited of the ahadith addressing 'brotherhood' in Islam.

As well, the issue of 'being stern with the disbelievers' is certainly revealed in the context of waging war on the disbelievers according to Ibn Kathir's commentary:


(O you who believe! Fight those of the disbelievers who are close to you, and let them find harshness in you.) [9:123 TMQ] And why is this?

[TMQ 49:7]
...But God has endeared faith to you, adorning your hearts with it, and He has made odious (karraha) to you disbelief(kufra) and immorality (fusuqa) and disobedience (against good) (3isyana)— they are the right-minded, the ones firmly established upon [the way of] their religion; So one can understand that the full extent of 'harshness' is to wage war against them and all that entails.
And one of the examples of the least extent of harshness is not to smile and show a beaming resonance among them.
And the example of these would be in the Companions and how they addressed the disbelievers. According to Ibn Abbas (rah), the first ayah refers to the Companions in order of Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali and on from there. And certainly THEIR example in implementing these ayaat is the example we should follow.

and Allah knows best.

[Skete]

All you guys are cowards. with cowardice approach. The non Muslim make fun of every aspect of our religion and you are preaching about softness. Where is the jalaal? Where is the attitude "I don't care about you non-Muslims I dont want to be like you, you guys should want to be like me" kind of attitude. We are such ____ssies! Please don't ever lower yourself to please a non-Muslim, that is my only concern!

Your location says Karachi. Do you even live around non Muslims or have encountered one in your life?

Today at work we had a large group presentation, 2 Muslims and 8 non Muslims, and talk started about Islam. A Muslim sister and I gave our ideas and they were well received. These non Muslims were completely oblivious about Islam, they had no clue what the religion is about. So should we have thrown the water pitchers at them, gotten ourselves behind the desk and started hurling pens and pencils and plastic body parts from the models at them and started a full war in the office?

[Gometesstem]

We should trade with them and be just with them, but we must not love them.

there are different types of love, many are inappropriate for the Muslims to share with the non-Muslims (unless they should be their blood relatives or wives etc) and obviously the love of the brotherhood of Islam is a very important thing that must supersede any ties with the non-Muslims

but I think to say that we should not love the non-believers at all is an overstatement, they are still children on Adam and our brothers and sisters in humanity.

If you look at the Awlia many of them (such as Mevlana Rumi (ra) (ra) demonstrated a type of love for all human beings and I don't think they were wrong.

With Rumi it was what you may call agape love (something like universal mercy), it was something that enabled him to speak to and benefit the non-Muslims in a very gentle way compared to many modern Muslims would speak to them, but it was not passivity or weakness, nor was it the cauise of anything against the Shariah nor was it something that prevented Rumi engaging in Jihad (and killing many Mongols), but I would say it was very definitely a type of love.

We must not become dependent on them.

If only Muslims had not forgotten this.

Be harsh with the hostile kafirun not all of them indiscriminately, and wisdom must be used we cannot alienate others because of our harshness.

spot on.

Our harshness should prompt them to leave kufr.

personally I prefer a carrot to a stick in most situations. so did Rumi (ra) and strangely enough thousands of Christians and Jews became Muslim through him.

[mnhloot]

60.8 Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.

60.9 Allah only forbids you from those who fight you because of religion and expel you from your homes and aid in your expulsion - [forbids] that you make allies of them. And whoever makes allies of them, then it is those who are the wrongdoers.

[86GlSqSK]

This thread reminds me how the Prophet (saws) was with the horrible woman who lived next door to him who used to throw her rubbish in his garden, unlike we modern Muslims who would probably throw it back and with some extras, he (saws) just tidied it away and said nothing, even sending her gifts when she was ill, for me that doesn't just reflect the Prophet's manners, but also something deeper, something to do with mercy and a certain type of love for even the misguided ones, a similar thing to what Moinudeen Chisti (ra) was referring to in the often quoted saying below

A friend of God has affection like the sun -

When the sun rises

it is beneficial to all people,

be they Muslim, Christian or Hindu.

A friend of God is generous like a river -

All may get water from the river

to quench their thirst

and it does not discriminate

between the good or the sinful,

the relation or the stranger. (source http://abodeofmercy.wordpress.com/ca...islam-is-love/ )

Such a type of love is not something that comes from weakness or something that discourages strength, rather it is something that can only come from the strong.

As for sternness that can vary from fighting them to speaking strongly against them, but it has its time and is not always appropriate, who was more stern than Hadhrat Umar (raa) with the non-Muslims when it was appropriate, yet he was also beautiful in manners to them and generous and merciful to them (just look at the histories of his life).

gentleness has its time too and is very often appropriate,

we have to remember not to be too hard (like some Wahhabis are) or too soft (like some Modernists are), because we should be trying to stay on that Sunni path of moderation that exists between extremes, not at them, yes?

If they are fighting us, persecuting us, threatening us, insulting the Prophet (saws), verbally attacking Islam etc then obviously different types of sternness (anything between strong words, economic sanctions and ultimately warfare) are required - these should be chosen on the basis of what will be most effective according to the interests of Islam, not on the basis of knee-jerk emotional reactions.

but if the non-Muslims are not doing these things then I'm pretty sure that gentleness, generousness and beautiful manners will be most effective, don't you think so?

[jeockammece]

Quran, Surah Mumtahanah, verse 7

Dr. Mohsin : Allâh does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion nor drove you out of your homes. Verily, Allâh loves those who deal with equity.

Mufti Taqi Usmani : Allah does not forbid you as regards those who did not fight you on account of faith, and did not expel you from your homes, that you do good to them, and deal justly with them. Surely Allah loves those who maintain justice.

Pickthal : Allah forbiddeth you not those who warred not against you on account of religion and drove you not out from your homes, that ye should show them kindness and deal justly with them. Lo! Allah loveth the just dealers.

Yusuf Ali : Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loveth those who are just.


Imam Ahmad recorded that Asma' bint Abu Bakr said, "My mother, who was an idolatress at the time, came to me during the Treaty of Peace, the Prophet conducted with the Quraysh. I came to the Prophet and said, `O Allah's Messenger! My mother came visiting, desiring something from me, should I treat her with good relations' The Prophet said, 'Yes. Keep good relation with your mother.'

The Two Sahihs recorded this Hadith. Imam Ahmad recorded that `Abdullah bin Zubayr said, "Qutaylah came visiting her daughter, Asma' bint Abi Bakr, with some gifts, such as Dibab, cheese and clarified (cooking) butter, and she was an idolatress at that time. Asma' refused to accept her mother's gifts and did not let her enter her house. `A'ishah asked the Prophet about his verdict and Allah sent down the Ayah, 'Allah does not forbid you with those who fought not against you on account of religion' until the end of the Ayah. Allah's Messenger ordered Asma' to accept her mother's gifts and to let her enter her house.'' (Tafsir ibn Kathir)

[55Beaphable]

But the topic is "how should I be stern with the nonMuslims". not, "how should I be kind with the nonMuslims".

We should NOT IGNORE that we ARE you be stern and harsh with certain nonMuslims.
I see all the time Muslims are loving, easy, soft, kind with nonMuslims, usually fair skinned, Western European disbelievers who themselves are often cold and arrogant, but we are too often hard, mistreating, cold towards Muslims, especially dark skinned, poor, poorly dressed Muslims.

[ErnestTU]

This thread reminds me how the Prophet (saws) was with the horrible woman who lived next door to him who used to throw her rubbish in his garden, unlike we modern Muslims who would probably throw it back and with some extras, he (saws) just tidied it away and said nothing, even sending her gifts when she was ill, for me that doesn't just reflect the Prophet's manners, but also something deeper, something to do with mercy and a certain type of love for even the misguided ones, a similar thing to what Moinudeen Chisti (ra) was referring to in the often quoted saying below



(source http://abodeofmercy.wordpress.com/ca...islam-is-love/ )

Such a type of love is not something that comes from weakness or something that discourages strength, rather it is something that can only come from the strong.

As for sternness that can vary from fighting them to speaking strongly against them, but it has its time and is not always appropriate, who was more stern than Hadhrat Umar (raa) with the non-Muslims when it was appropriate, yet he was also beautiful in manners to them and generous and merciful to them (just look at the histories of his life).

gentleness has its time too and is very often appropriate,

we have to remember not to be too hard (like some Wahhabis are) or too soft (like some Modernists are), because we should be trying to stay on that Sunni path of moderation that exists between extremes, not at them, yes?

If they are fighting us, persecuting us, threatening us, insulting the Prophet (saws), verbally attacking Islam etc then obviously different types of sternness (anything between strong words, economic sanctions and ultimately warfare) are required - these should be chosen on the basis of what will be most effective according to the interests of Islam, not on the basis of knee-jerk emotional reactions.

but if the non-Muslims are not doing these things then I'm pretty sure that gentleness, generousness and beautiful manners will be most effective, don't you think so?

Sorry bro, but this hadith is 'sahih tabligh'.

the horrible woman who lived next door to him who used to throw her rubbish in his garden You'll find it nowhere else. Not in any book of hadith. Not in any scholar's islamic book. Its a newly invented yarn from the 20th century.

[Eeaquzyh]

Sorry bro, but this hadith is 'sahih tabligh'.

You'll find it nowhere else. Not in any book of hadith. Not in any scholar's islamic book. Its a newly invented yarn from the 20th century.

Well I have heard it in lectures from real educated preachers (who I shall not name in case you are correct). If you are correct then I guess it mixes two different real narrations up as, as I understand it, he (saws) definitely did have Jewish neighbours and did enquire about a women who had persecuted him (though by spreading thorns not rubbish). What is disturbing is that particular story is so widely disseminated and is on several Sunni websites, they all need contacting if this story is a fabrication. If anyone reads this and sees this story anywhere online please tell that website to save them from spreading what is possibly a made up story about the Prophet (saws).

Anyway, what I am saying does not rely upon this story, I just used it by chance, there are dozens of similar stories from the life of the Prophet (saws) of a similar nature in which he deals with the non-Muslims in a beautiful and merciful way. Even stories about his influence leading to kindness to a Jewish neighbour such as this one: Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-'As: Mujahid said that Abdullah ibn Amr slaughtered a sheep and said: Have you presented a gift from it to my neighbour, the Jew, for I heard the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) say: Gabriel kept on commending the neighbour to me so that I thought he would make an heir? (Sunan Abu Dawood, 2446)

Examples of the Prophet's (saws) mercy are many, such as the ones below...

One time a Bedouin tried to assassinate him with a sword, but he found that God would not let him strike the Holy Prophet (may God bless him and give him peace) with it, but rather than have the would be murderer punished the Holy Prophet (may God bless him and give him peace) forgave him and called him to Islam and there were a number of other instances in which the Holy Prophet (may God bless him and give him peace) demonstrated this way, but the greatest of all was when the Muslims liberated Makkah and the Holy Prophet (may God bless him and give him peace) forgave dozens of those people who had once been the most brutal enemies, so long as they repented from their crimes. He even forgave Habbar bin al-Aswad who had murdered his beloved daughter Lady Zainab and Wahshi who had assassinated his beloved uncle Hamza (raa). Even when people treated him in the most unpleasant ways the Holy Prophet (may God bless him and give him peace) would remain calm and forgiving. The Companion Anas ibn Malik (raa) recorded how once the Holy Prophet (may God bless him and give him peace) was walking with him, wearing a woollen Abyssinian shawl, when a Bedouin came to them and took hold of the Prophet’s shawl tugging it and begging for him to give him some wealth. Even though the impolite rustic had tugged so much that he left marks upon the skin of the Holy Prophet (may God bless him and give him peace), he only smiled and instructed that he be provided with a gift from the treasury according to his needs (Bukhari & Muslim). The Holy Prophet (may God bless him and give him peace) once asked his Companions (raa) whether they would like him to tell them of something that would raise them up in the eyes of God. Of course, they answered that they would like to know such a thing and therefore he told them,

Show patience towards those people

who behave foolishly towards you,

forgive those who do wrong against you,

give to those who deny you

and strengthen your ties

with those who break away from you.

(Al Tabarani)
(source http://abodeofmercy.wordpress.com/category/forgiveness/ )

and...

The Prophet (PBUH) was the most forgiving person. He was ever ready to forgive his enemies. When he went to Ta’if to preach the message of Allah, its people mistreated him, abused him and hit him with stones. He left the city humiliated and wounded. When he took shelter under a tree, the angel of Allah visited him and told him that Allah sent him to destroy the people of Ta’if because of their sin of maltreating their Prophet. Mohammad (PBUH) prayed to Allah to save the people of Taif, because what they did was out of their ignorance.

He (PBUH) said:

“O Allah, guide these people, as they did not know what they were doing.” When he entered the city of Mekkah after the victory, the Prophet -peace be upon him- had in front of him some of his staunchest enemies. Those who fought him for many yea rs, persecuted his followers and killed many of them. Now he had full power to pay back and punish them for their crimes and for what they did to him and to the Muslims. Instead the Prophet (PBUH) asked them:

“What do you think I shall do to you now?” They pleaded for mercy. The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Today I shall say to you what Joseph (referring to Prophet Youssuf (PBUH) as mentioned in the Qur’an, (Youssuf 12:92) Prophet Youssuf (PBUH) said to his brothers, ‘No blame on you today. Go, you are all free.” Soon they all came and embraced Islam at his hands. He forgave even Hind who had caused the murder of his uncle Hamza -may Allah be pleased with him. After killing him she had his body mutilated and chewed his liver. When she embraced Islam, the Prophet even forgave her. A very striking example of forgiveness we find in the Qur’an in reference to the most unfortunate event of “Slander of Sayeda Aicha” (one Prophet Mohammed's wives). Some hypocrites of Madinah tried unrightfully to put dirt on her noble character. One of the slanderers turned out to be Mistah, the cousin of ‘Aicha's father Abu Bakr’s. Abu Bakr -may Allah be pleased with him- used to give financial help to this young man. After he slandered his daughter, Abu Bakr vowed not to help him any more. But Allah reminded Abu Bakr and through him all the Believers saying: “Let not those among you who are endued with grace and amplitude of means resolve by oath against helping their kinsmen, those in want and those who migrated in the path of Allah. Let them forgive and overlook. Do you not wish that Allah should forgive you? Indeed Allah is oft-Forgiving, most Merciful.”Qur'an (24:22)
Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) came out of his home and said, “Yes, indeed, I want Allah’s forgiveness. He not only continued to help and support Mistah but he gave him more.

Islam emphasises justice and punishment of the wrong doers, but it equally strongly emphasizes mercy, kindness and love. Justice, law and order are necessary for the maintenance of a social order, but there is also a need for forgiveness to heal the wounds and to restore good relations between the people. (source http://www.islamawareness.net/Repent...rspective.html )