Question:
Is it permissible for a muslim to seek revenge from a muslim or a disbeliever if he abuses him or beats him?
Answer:
Allah says :
“فمن عفا و أصلح فأجره على الله”
“Whoever forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah” (As-Shura 40)
This is general regarding the one who harms you whether he be from the muslims or from disbelievers.
فَمَنِ ٱعۡتَدَىٰ عَلَيۡكُمۡ فَٱعۡتَدُواْ عَلَيۡهِ بِمِثۡلِ مَا ٱعۡتَدَىٰ عَلَيۡكُمۡۚ
“Then whoever transgresses the prohibition against you, you transgress likewise against him.”(Al- Baqarah 194)
and if you wanted to seek revenge for yourself do not transgress more than what he transgressed against you. And we advise you with what has come in the last part of the ayah :
“Whoever forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah” (As-Shura 40)
Especially in the case of the muslim and also in the case of the disbeliever since it seen from the ways of inviting him towards Islam and to make apparent the forgiveness and pardon (which has come in Islam).
خُذِ ٱلۡعَفۡوَ وَأۡمُرۡ بِٱلۡعُرۡفِ وَأَعۡرِضۡ عَنِ ٱلۡجَٰهِلِينَ
“Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the foolish (i.e. don’t punish them).” (Al- A’raaf 199)
Allah admonished His Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam during the early makki period (of his dawah) with forgiveness and pardon in many of the verses.
And if some of the people of knowledge have related that these ayaat have been abrogated by the ayaat of sword (fighting the disbelievers) but that which is apparent that this ruling (of forgiveness and turning way) is still present and is not abrogated regarding pardon and forgiveness for those who deserve pardon and forgiveness and that which is from the method of inviting to Allah.
Answered by
Shaykh Abu Bilal hafidhahullah
Translated by
Abu Muhammad Nezam Al-Hindi