His question asks whether taking revenge is forbidden or permissible?
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner : His question asks whether taking revenge is forbidden or permissible?
The Shaykh : Taking revenge?
The questioner : Taking revenge, yes.
The Shaykh : Taking revenge without excess is permissible, meaning that you reciprocate the wrong done to you with the same degree of wrong, based on the saying of Allah the Exalted:[Ash-Shuraa 42:41] and His saying: [Al-Baqarah 2:194] However, if there is good in forgiving, then it is better, based on the saying of Allah the Exalted: [Al-Baqarah 2:237] and His saying: [An-Nahl 16:126] But this is on the condition that there is good and reform in the forgiveness.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : If there is no good or reform in it, such as if the aggressor is a person known for evil and oppression, then forgiving him in this case is not advisable; rather, punishing him is better, because that will deter him and deter those like him. If we do not say that in this case, punishing him is obligatory and forgiving him is forbidden, because of the fact that if he is forgiven, he will continue to be arrogant and aggressive toward people. Yes.
The Shaykh : Taking revenge?
The questioner : Taking revenge, yes.
The Shaykh : Taking revenge without excess is permissible, meaning that you reciprocate the wrong done to you with the same degree of wrong, based on the saying of Allah the Exalted:
And whoever avenges himself after having been wronged - those have not upon them any cause [for blame].
ولمن انتصر بعد ظلمه فأولئك ما عليهم من سبيلSo whoever has assaulted you, then assault him in the same way that he has assaulted you
فمن اعتدى عليكم فاعتدوا عليه بمثل ما اعتدى عليكمAnd to forego it is nearer to righteousness
وأن تعفوا أقرب للتقوىAnd if you punish [an enemy, O believers], punish with an equivalent of that with which you were harmed. But if you are patient - it is better for those who are patient.
وإن عاقبتم فعاقبوا بمثل ما عوقبتم به ولئن صبرتم لهو خير للصابرينThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : If there is no good or reform in it, such as if the aggressor is a person known for evil and oppression, then forgiving him in this case is not advisable; rather, punishing him is better, because that will deter him and deter those like him. If we do not say that in this case, punishing him is obligatory and forgiving him is forbidden, because of the fact that if he is forgiven, he will continue to be arrogant and aggressive toward people. Yes.