Pardoning

Jafar as-Sadiq (may God sanctify his innermost being), the fifth Shaykh in the Naqshbandi Golden Chain, said the following:-

Pardoning someone when you have the power to punish is one of the customary practices of the Messengers and the secrets of the God-fearing. Pardon is when you do not charge your companion for what he has done wrong outwardly; when you forget the cause by which there was inward affliction, and when you extend great charity in your choice, despite having power over him. No one could find a way to that pardon except by the one whom God has pardoned and forgiven for the sins which he committed and the deeds he has put off, and who has been adorned with His mark of honour and clothed in the light of His radiance. This is because pardon and forgiveness are two of the attributes of Almighty God which He entrusted in the secrets of His pure friends, so that they adopt the manners of their Creator and Maker with creation. This is why He said,

“Let them pardon and forgive. Do you not wish that God should forgive you? God is most forgiving and merciful.“ (Quran 24:22)

If you do not pardon another mortal like yourself, how can you hope for the pardon of the Compelling King?
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said that his Lord commanded him to have these qualities, saying, “Unite with whoever wrongs you; give to whoever deprives you, and be good to whoever is bad to you.” He commanded us to follow him when God said,

“So accept whatever the Messenger gives you, and abstain from whatever he forbids you.“ (Quran 59:7)

Pardon is a secret of God in the heart of the select. Whoever is gladdened by it has made Him happy. The Messenger of God said, “Is any of you capable of being like Abu Damdam?” “O Messenger of God,” they said, “Who is Abu Damdam?” The Prophet replied, “One of your ancestors, who when he woke up in the morning would say, “O God, I have forgiven the shattering of my honour by the common people.”