10 Benefits of Forgiving on Friday According to Islam

Friday is a day full of virtues in Islam. It is called sayyidul ayyam or the leader of all days. On this day, various deeds are recommended to be multiplied, such as reading the letter Al-Kahfi, increasing shalawat, and of course praying. However, one deed that is often forgotten even though it is very noble is forgiving.

1. The day when deeds are multiplied

Forgiving on Friday is more special because every good deed will be rewarded many times over. Allah loves His servants who forgive.

"And the recompense for an evil is an evil like it, but whoever forgives and does good, then his reward is from Allah." (QS. Asy-Shura: 40).

2. Forgiving: Releasing the burden of the heart

Forgiving not only frees others from mistakes, but also frees oneself from the burden of negative emotions such as anger and resentment. A light heart will be more easily filled with the light of guidance and Allah's mercy.

3. The gates of heaven are opened on Friday

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "Indeed, the best day is Friday. So increase your prayers to me on that day, because your prayers are conveyed to me." (Hadits from Abu Dawud).

On this day, the gates of heaven are opened. So forgiving can be a practice that makes us worthy of receiving the abundance of Allah's forgiveness.

4. Emulating the nature of Allah

Allah is the Most Forgiving. In the Qur'an, Allah states:

"And let them forgive and be tolerant. Don't you want Allah to forgive you?" (QS. An-Nur: 22)

By forgiving, we are trying to emulate the noble nature of God, as a form of sincere servanthood.

5. True strength is forgiveness

In a hadith, the Prophet ﷺ said: "It is not the strong person who wins in wrestling, but the strong person is the one who is able to control his anger." (Hadith from Bukhari and Muslim)

On Friday, when prayers are more effective, ask Allah to give you the strength to forgive and forget other people's mistakes.

6. Forgiveness opens the way for sustenance

Fortune is not only money, but also peace, friendship and the blessings of life. A heart that is clean from revenge will more easily receive God's grace. Rasulullah ﷺ said:

"Whoever makes allowances, Allah will make allowances for him in this world and the hereafter." (Hadith from Muslim)

7. The rewards of forgiveness are enormous

Every wound that is forgiven, every hurt that is released, Allah will reward with goodness. Even Allah Himself promises the reward:

"Whoever forgives and repairs (relationships), his reward will be from Allah." (QS. Ash-Shura: 40)

8. Pray for the person who hurt you

Praying for goodness for people who hurt is a form of perfection of faith. As the Prophet ﷺ taught:

"Continue friendship with the person who broke up with you, and forgive the person who wronged you." (Hadith from Ahmad)

9. Forgiveness from Allah depends on our attitude

Allah forgives His servants, but not those who hold grudges without a shar'i reason.

"The deeds of two people who are enemies will not be lifted unless they make peace." (Hadith from Muslim)

So don't let hostility prevent God's grace from descending on us, especially on Friday.

10. Forgiveness is the way to heaven

In the afterlife, one of the reasons a person goes to heaven is because his heart is free from revenge. In a hadith, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ once appointed an ordinary friend as an expert in heaven because he said:

"Every night before going to bed I forgive everyone who hurts me." (Hadith from Ahmad).

Friday is the best time to repair relationships, cleanse the heart, and get closer to Allah. Forgiving is not an easy matter, but it is a very noble practice and has a big impact on life in this world and the hereafter. Let's make Friday the beginning of opening a new page: by forgiving, we strengthen ourselves and get closer to heaven.