When Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars in front of the entire world, it sparked a global conversation about forgiveness, revenge, and how to handle being wronged. Sheikh Majid Mahmood, a mechanical engineer with a bachelor’s in Islamic jurisprudence and an MBA, breaks down what Islam teaches about forgiveness and presents three powerful options that go far beyond what any self-help book could offer.
Three Islamic Options When You Are Wronged
Islam provides a comprehensive framework for dealing with injustice. Option one: an eye for an eye — Chris Rock could slap Will Smith back, and justice would be served. Option two: do not retaliate in this life but save the matter for the Day of Judgment, where you will take from the wrongdoer’s good deeds. Option three — the option of the elite — is to forgive completely, wanting nothing from the other person and everything from Allah alone.
“Allah says: whoever forgives and reconciles, their reward is on Allah. He keeps it open like that, which indicates the reward is unmatched — it will be equivalent to the greatness of the King. Would you not want God to forgive you? One of the fastest ways to get Allah’s forgiveness is when we forgive others.”
Holding a Grudge Is Drinking Poison
Sheikh Majid explains that holding a grudge is like drinking poison and hoping the other person dies. Every time someone annoys you and you add it to the bag of resentment, that bag gets heavier and heavier until it crushes you. Psychologists and psychiatrists confirm that unforgiveness is a detriment to mental and physical health. Islam recognized this reality 1400 years ago and made forgiveness not just a recommendation but a pathway to divine mercy.
“Holding a grudge is like drinking poison hoping the other person dies. Every time someone annoys you, you put it in that bag — a grudge in that bag. It becomes so heavy it affects not only you but your family and everyone around you.”
The Real Priority for Will Smith and Chris Rock
- On the Day of Judgment, both men will have far bigger concerns than an awards show incident — the first priority is knowing the purpose of life and worshiping the Creator alone
- Cutting off ties of kinship and harboring hatred can prevent your dua from being accepted by Allah
- Forgiveness does not mean condoning wrong — it means freeing yourself from the prison of resentment and trusting Allah to handle justice
- The month of Ramadan is a special time of mercy where the rewards of forgiveness are multiplied — making it the perfect time to let go of every grudge
