POWER OF FORGIVENESS

Ibn Kathir, in his Al-Bidayah wa’l-Nihayah, relates the story of Ghawrath ibn al-Harith under the heading Qissat Ghawrath ibn al-Harith. The summary is as follows:

Upon returning from a journey in 4 AH, the Prophet of Islam and his companions camped at a resting place. The Prophet lay down under a tree, and his sword was hanging from one of its branches.

At that moment, a man from a hostile tribe—Ghawrath—approached and seized the sword. Standing over the Prophet, he said: “Who will save you from me, O Muhammad?”
The Prophet replied calmly: “God.” Ghawrath repeated the question, and the Prophet gave the same reply: “God.”

Hearing this, Ghawrath was overwhelmed and dropped the sword. The Prophet then picked up the sword and asked him: “Now who will save you from me?” Ghawrath replied: “Be the better one to take revenge.”

Instead of rebuking him or taking revenge, the Prophet forgave him and let him go. He did not say, “You threatened my life, and now you ask for mercy?”—he simply released him.

If the Prophet had punished him, Ghawrath may have responded with hostility. But by sparing him without scolding, his conscience was awakened. He returned to his tribe saying: “I have come from the presence of the best of all people.” (Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah Vol. 4, pp. 270-271)

This incident shows that revenge escalates conflict, while forgiveness resolves it completely. More than that, forgiveness becomes a strong moral example—one that can turn an enemy into a loyal supporter.