Page 192 - Seekers Guide Book

Peace: The Summum Bonum
Sharia). In this way, the Kashmiri movement turned into
a religious one.

’
9 What is Islam s view on revenge?

slam teaches forgiveness over revenge. According to
IQuranic teachings, revenge is not a solution. Revenge
only increases the problem. A chapter in the Quran
entitled Al-Nahl (Bees) gives practical advice on this
point. It says:

If you want to retaliate, retaliate to the
same degree as the injury done to you.
But if you are patient, it is better to be so.
(Quran 16:126)

In other words, if one has been wronged and responds
with patience and forgiveness, this behaviour holds more
value in the eyes of God and may even serve as atonement
for one’s sins. Revenge is the action of inflicting hurt
or harm on someone for an injury or wrong suffered
at their hands. According to Quranic teachings, there
are two levels of revenge — one may be called exacting
proportional revenge and the second may be described
as you forget the bad experience you have received from
the other.

Although revenge or retaliation is allowed as a concession
to the aggrieved, there is a strict condition with this
allowance — it must be equal revenge, not exceeding the
others’ bad action. If we reflect on this prerequisite of
exacting revenge, we will realize that revenge is not an

191