وَقَالَ (عليه السلام):
Amir al-mu'minin, peace be upon him, said:
إِذَا قَدَرْتَ عَلَى عَدُوِّكَ
When you gain power over your adversary
فَاجْعَلِ الْعَفْوَ عَنْهُ
pardon him
شُكْراً لِلْقُدْرَةِ عَلَيْهِ
by way of thanks for being able to overpower him. 6
6. The occasion for pardon and forgiveness is when there is power to take revenge. But when there is no such power, then pardon is just the result of helplessness, for which there is no credit. However, to practise pardon despite having power and the ability to avenge is the essence of human distinction and an expression of thanks to Allah for bestowing this power, because the feeling of gratefulness necessitates that man should bow before. Allah in humbleness and humiliation by which the delicate feeling of pity and kindness will arise in his heart and the rising flames of rage and anger will cool down after which there will be no urge to take revenge under the effect of which he would use his power and capability to satisfy his anger instead of using it properly.
