Indeed, Allah (swt) encompasses in this verse all the good morals. Despite the malicious plans against the Prophet (saws), Allah (swt) commanded him to respond with forgiveness. How great is this religion! And how great the Prophet (saws) in applying the teachings of the Holy Quran.
( خُذِ الْعَفْوَ ) (Take what is given freely): Talking about the virtue of forgiveness, which was not present before Islam, not only in the Arabian Peninsula but throughout the world, as well. The world was living under the power of the Persian and the Romans, suffering from tribalism, savagery, and wars. The concept of forgiveness was unfamiliar to anyone until the Prophet (saws) implemented it. That is after being besieged, tortured, and expelled from Mecca along with his companions (may Allah be pleased with them). Despite all the persecution by the polytheists, he entered Mecca victoriously, returned to his (saws) homeland, and faced the Quraysh who had inflicted harm and siege upon him. Here they stood before him, those who had persecuted him and killed his companions, waiting for his judgment. The Prophet (saws) said to them:
“O Quraysh, what do you think I will do to you?” They replied: “Good, a generous brother and a noble nephew.” He said:
“I will say to you what Joseph said to his brothers: (He said, “No blame will there be upon you today) “Go, for you are free.”[1]
He (saws) forgave them all.
When Allah (swt) says: (Take what is given freely). The concept of forgiveness, as we understand it, is a gift from the capable of granting forgiveness. For example, if a person wrongs someone else who has the power to punish him, yet the powerful person chooses to forgive, this noble act is the forgiveness. Allah (swt), in this verse, describes it as: (Take). It means that forgiveness is an action that brings benefit to the forgiver, not just to the one being forgiven. This reflects the pinnacle of nobility and elevation in the ethics brought by Islam, a great religion that is often falsely accused of terrorism. Islam, as expressed by Allah (swt) commands: (Take what is given freely, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant); forgiveness is an act of great character.
( وَأْمُرْ بِالْعُرْفِ ) (enjoin what is good): The Arabic word of (what is good) refers to the (customs); behavior recognized by minds as correct, agreed upon by people because they acknowledge it as right. For instance, if a person intends to propose for marriage, it is customary to directly approach the family, sit with them, and formally request the hand of the girl. This is a recognized custom. Therefore, what people become familiar with, find reassuring, and is accepted by everyone becomes a part of legislation.
( وَأَعْرِضْ عَنِ الْجَاهِلِينَ) (and turn away from the ignorant): This is a high-level social structure with noble goals and principles. Those who aim to promote virtuous ethics will always encounter ignorance along the way. The ignorant person is one who holds incorrect information, clings to it, and refuses to reconsider. In such cases, it is better to disengage from the ignorant, not meaning to refrain from inviting them, but to disengage because those who insist on erroneous ideas are difficult to engage in discussion. Similarly, some persist in accusing Islam, attacking it, its mosques, and everything related to its religious activities. As long as there is such stubbornness and incorrect information, engaging in meaningful dialogue becomes challenging. Allah (swt) says:
وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَامًا
(And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace,) (Al-Furqan: 63)
The Holy Quran commands us to show peace, security, and tranquility. The Prophet (saws) was characterized by being constantly forgiving and adhering to noble ethics:
“I was sent to perfect good character.”[2]
Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
“The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said to me, “Shall I not guide you to the best of the virtues of the ancients and the moderns?” I said, “Certainly, O Messenger of Allah.” He said, “Give to those who have deprived you, forgive those who have wronged you, and maintain ties with those who have cut you off.”[3]
These truly are wonderful words. Allah (swt) says:
وَلَا تَسْتَوِي الْحَسَنَةُ وَلَا السَّيِّئَةُ ۚ ادْفَعْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ فَإِذَا الَّذِي بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُ عَدَاوَةٌ كَأَنَّهُ وَلِيٌّ حَمِيمٌ
(And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend.) (Fussilat: 34)
No social connection can ever reach to this divine command. There is no security, peace, and tranquility found anywhere better than in this statement.
[1] Zad Al-Ma’aani, part 3, p. 356.
[2] Sunan al-Bayhaqu al-Kubra, Book of Testimonies, Hadith No. 20571.
[3] Shu’ab al-Iman, 65th, Hadith No. 7956.