I Am A Muslim: Islamic Reminders

forgiving others

The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam), while sitting in the mosque with the Companions (radi Allahu anhum), pointed out a person who entered the mosque as being of those who would enter Jannah. He did this for 3 days, and every time, it was the same person who entered the mosque. Abdullah bin 'Amr (radi Allahu anhu) wanted to know what quality this man possessed that made the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) say that about him, so he spent three nights with that man. He did not notice that the man prayed the optional night prayers during any of these nights, but if he woke up during the night, he would simply mention Allah. So before he left, he had to ask him what he did that was so special that the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) identified him as a man of Jannah. The man replied: "My deeds are nothing more than what you saw". When Abdullah (radi Allahu anhu) left, he (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) called him back in and said: "My deeds are nothing more than what you saw, but the only thing I do is that I do not hold any grudge against any Muslim or envy anyone for what bounties Allah has granted them"; thereupon 'Abdullah Ibn 'Amr (radi Allahu anhu) said to him: "This difficult quality to obtain is what granted you this rank". [Ahmad]

That is what it means to be true believer. Our focus is not simply in how much we pray, although that has its place. Rather we are so focused on gaining the pleasure of Allah that people's wrongs against us are insignificant. This is why Allah described the believers as "those who avoid the major sins and immoralities, and when they are angry, they forgive" [Surat ash-Shu'ara, 42:37].