Taking Revenge

Question: A sister is asking: “What is the Sharīʿah ruling regarding taking revenge when all other options have been exhausted and it is viewed as a last resort?” Shaykh Faysal Al-Hashidi ḥafidhahullāh Your question is important and requires an answer that is disciplined by the Sharīʿah, away from emotion. ▪️First: The basic principle in Islam The foundation established by Islam is justice, not revenge, and removing oppression, not seeking personal gratification. Allāh says: “And if you punish (your enemy), then punish them with the like of that with which you were afflicted. But if you endure patiently, verily, it is better for As-Sâbirûn (the patient)..” [An-Naḥl:126] So Allāh clarified that: ➡️Responding proportionally is permissible ✅ But forgiveness and patience are better ▪️Second: When is responding in kind permissible? It is allowed for the oppressed person to respond if the following conditions are met: 1) The wrong is real and certain, not imagined 2) The response is exactly equal to the harm, without excess 3) The response does not lead to greater injustice, chaos, or transgression 4) The person is taking only what is rightfully his according to Sharīʿah Allāh says: “Then whoever transgresses the prohibition against you, you transgress likewise against him. And fear Allâh, and know that Allâh is with Al-Muttaqûn" [Al-Baqarah:194] Not everything called “revenge” is permissible; rather, it is repelling injustice with its like, without exceeding limits. ▪️Third: When is revenge forbidden? It becomes forbidden if: 1) One exceeds the limit 2) It is driven by anger or a desire for personal satisfaction 3) It harms others 4) It leads to a greater sin (cutting ties, assault, bloodshed, or disorder) The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Fear Allāh wherever you are.” [Hadith 18, 40 Hadith] [ An-Nawawee ] Anger is a wide gateway to wrongdoing. ▪️Fourth: Does being a “last resort” change the ruling? No, it does not change the Islamic ruling by itself. Sharīʿah does not say: “When all options fail, take revenge.” Rather, it says: Either take your right with justice Or forgive and earn reward Or refer the matter to a legitimate authority when possible So calling it a “last resort” does not make the unlawful permissible, but it may allow lawful self-defense if the previous conditions are fulfilled. ▪️Fifth: The virtue of forgiveness Forgiveness is not weakness; it is strength of character and elevation in rank. Allāh says: “And verily, whosoever shows patience and forgives, that would truly be from the things recommended by Allāh..” [Ash-Shūrā 42:43] And the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Allāh does not increase a servant in anything through forgiveness except honour.” [Muslim] Source: https://t.me/EngFatawaboxes_9_9_9_Bot