Should I forgive someone who wronged me, or am I allowed to take my right back?

Islam permits you to take back your right — "The retribution for a bad deed is a bad deed like it" — but immediately adds, "whoever pardons and makes reconciliation, his reward is with Allah" (42:40), so justice is your right and pardon is the higher road. Allah describes the people of Paradise as "those who restrain anger and pardon people" (3:134), and after the slander of ʿĀʾishah He addressed Abū Bakr, who had sworn to cut off his support to a relative who spread it: "Let them pardon and overlook. Do you not love that Allah should forgive you?" (24:22). The Prophet (ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said, "Charity does not decrease wealth; Allah increases in honour the servant who pardons; and no one humbles himself for Allah except that Allah raises him." So forgiving is not weakness or letting injustice stand — you may still seek your right through legitimate means, and pardon is recommended, not obligatory, especially where forgiving would enable ongoing harm.

Ask your own question → All questions