Revenge does have a position in the domain of fairness because the concept takes into account two things ... the emotional factors which are on the whole irrational and it takes into account the needs of some people who are less patient and in touch with their higher selves ... it caters for the people who are more zahiri (apparent) and aesthetic in their life approach.
On the other hand we are told that there is a better position than revenge ... in fact even the statement "success is the best form of revenge" is limited because it is still talking about the concept of revenge as something of a requisite ... the best action in the face of injustice is forgiveness.
When revenge is required is usually when a situation has a risk of getting out of hand that if forgiveness is offered it may be seen as a form of weakness and could result in an escalated condition of the original harm. Such as a murderer after proving he has murderous tendencies is likely to kill again if forgiven. If on the other hand a person was killed by accident that may not be the case.
To harm whether it is out of just retaliation/revenge or out of criminal intent there is a burden that has to be carried for it. That burden will appoint itself on our shoulders in the hereafter. If in a war and we kill an enemy soldier ... do we think we will not be asked whether we tried our hardest to convince the opposite not to fight and to come to a reasonable understanding.
The power of retaliation is in the hands of the one who has been emotionally harmed ... and revenge may extinguish that inner anger/sadness/dismay ... but it will burden the soul in its deeds. On the other hand to forgive someone may actually also create a relief and additionally lift the burden on the soul as well.
There is no honour in bloodshed - if we do it out of revenge we are serving our own needs and to serve our own needs is like going to the toilet or eating food and sleeping ... how can any of these be considered something pious? Piety is about giving up our RIGHTS in order to serve greater interest - which is the interest of society and the Word of God.
now you'll have people trying to justify "right" by using all sorts of examples......
The fact is that sweetness lets say sugar is sweet is nice and good in small amounts, only when it becomes too much and then sweetness becomes bad ... since sweetness can be both good and bad then it therefore cannot be a definition of what is good ... because by definition good cannot be bad and bad cannot be good.
The fact is that sweetness lets say sugar is sweet is nice and good in small amounts, only when it becomes too much and then sweetness becomes bad ... since sweetness can be both good and bad then it therefore cannot be a definition of what is good ... because by definition good cannot be bad and bad cannot be good.
well said....forgiveness indeed,...in addition I have found including the person who you feel wronged you in your dua'as does wonders for your soul
something along the lines of ya'allah please guide "so and so" (person who wronged you) on the right path and bring them happiness and in addition to them please accord the same kindness to me
Peace All
Revenge does have a position in the domain of fairness because the concept takes into account two things ... the emotional factors which are on the whole irrational and it takes into account the needs of some people who are less patient and in touch with their higher selves ... it caters for the people who are more zahiri (apparent) and aesthetic in their life approach.
On the other hand we are told that there is a better position than revenge ... in fact even the statement "success is the best form of revenge" is limited because it is still talking about the concept of revenge as something of a requisite ... the best action in the face of injustice is forgiveness.
When revenge is required is usually when a situation has a risk of getting out of hand that if forgiveness is offered it may be seen as a form of weakness and could result in an escalated condition of the original harm. Such as a murderer after proving he has murderous tendencies is likely to kill again if forgiven. If on the other hand a person was killed by accident that may not be the case.
To harm whether it is out of just retaliation/revenge or out of criminal intent there is a burden that has to be carried for it. That burden will appoint itself on our shoulders in the hereafter. If in a war and we kill an enemy soldier ... do we think we will not be asked whether we tried our hardest to convince the opposite not to fight and to come to a reasonable understanding.
The power of retaliation is in the hands of the one who has been emotionally harmed ... and revenge may extinguish that inner anger/sadness/dismay ... but it will burden the soul in its deeds. On the other hand to forgive someone may actually also create a relief and additionally lift the burden on the soul as well.
There is no honour in bloodshed - if we do it out of revenge we are serving our own needs and to serve our own needs is like going to the toilet or eating food and sleeping ... how can any of these be considered something pious? Piety is about giving up our RIGHTS in order to serve greater interest - which is the interest of society and the Word of God.
I love the feeling one gets when a job is done, however I wont let revenge become an obsession, yes Revenge can be sweet, but depends on how you achieve your revenge.
Depending on the circumstances sometimes success does not mean complete elimination of the opponent, it is much more rewarding when you simply beat them and make them part of your own.
I have often felt bitter afterwards when you waste so much resources and time in pursuit of your Revenge that you let it become such a big part of your life, it’s like chasing rainbows… you cant always catch the pot of gold at the end and in my case even if you catch the pot of gold it’s never enough to satisfy your desire for more… you become a bit of a gory/glory hunter.
However when all is said and done I still admit the evil aspect for me is that Revenge does indeed feel sweet when you score a big win… I mean who doesn’t enjoy winning.
