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Forgiveness Forgiveness is to look beyond; to let go of ones opinions and judgments of the other.

It is to turn the other cheek; to realize the wholeness of the other; to see ones self in the other and to give what one would want to receive. It is the golden rule embodied. Forgiveness is not condoning harmful or hateful behaviour; forgiveness is simply the giving up of judgment or desisting from the condemnation or punishment of others and trusting the Divine, that abides within each, as being the only One best placed to judge. Forgiveness is to acknowledge that being human our perception of Truth, no matter the quantity or nature of the facts presented to us, is limited and definitively subjective to our views and opinions. Forgiveness acknowledges that there is always a bigger picture and aspects we may be blind to that caused the situation or crime at hand. This is depicted with precision and clarity in the Quran in Al-Kahf, whereby Moses seeks counsel and guidance from a wise-man and follows him through a series of three occurrences. Though the wiseman asks Moses not to ask any questions, Moses is quick to judge and question the wise-mans actions in each successive occurrence implying error in the wise-mans actions. After the third occurrence, the Moses questioning, despite his vow not to do so, causes the wiseman to part ways with Moses. Before parting, however, he explains the wisdom behind his actions in each occurrence. The narration

ends with the wise-man stating that he did not act out of his own thinking/judgment but as he was directed by the Divine. This proves that even one we esteem as messengers of the Divine (Moses) is sorely limited in his human opinion of right and wrong and judgment is often contrary to Divine wisdom. This gives clear illustration why one should desist from judging any one or situation; instead allow Divine wisdom to reveal itself and resolve the situation faced. Prayer and meditation with an open mind and heart is very helpful in all situations where one feels impetuous to act or pass judgment against another. It is always wise to desist from acting or judging till one feels guided by the Divine that abides within each one of us and can be invoked through heartfelt prayer and an openness of heart and mind. Be open; and listen for guidance before taking action. Once one opens ones mind to Divine guidance, one is more open to Truth and thus sees what was previously beyond ones purview. The guilty and condemned thus find forgiveness. In forgiving, one is forgiven since, the world and others are but a projection of ones mind; a reflection of ones state of being. To judge and condemn any other is to judge and condemn ones self. Likewise is it for forgiveness. Thus forgiveness brings release and healing and it lies at the basis of unity consciousness. The example of Muhammad preferring forgiveness to judgment is valuable. Muhammad is said to always have preferred leaving judgment to the Divine; Who he deemed the only One best placed to judge. It was only in matters where harm was posed to others or society that called for apprehension or prevention that action was

taken to secure the welfare of all. In all such circumstances, compassion and efficacy was emphasized; not guilt, punishment or condemnation. In his daily interactions, be it as a husband, father, friend or spiritual teacher, he never judged others or condemned them. He forgave them and acted with kindness and compassion. The Quran verifies and indicates this where it says, that it is by the Mercy of Allah that he is gentle with his people for if he was harsh and hardhearted, they would have fled from him. The Quran counsels Muhammad to forgive; and to consult his people in matters yet act decisively once his mind is clear. Forgiveness is the condition for salvation. Without forgiveness, one has no access to the state of Heaven. Heaven is accessible only to those who are pure of mind; innocent of being and realized in their oneness with all that is. All is One; there is no other. This is the essence of the shahada or proclamation of Islam; There is no god; Only Allah. All there is, including you and I, the cosmos and the Universe, is ONE; And Allah is All that Is. To attain this state, one must go through the state of forgiveness so that innocence may be reclaimed once more. Yet, one cannot be forgiven without forgiving. What one gives, one is; and what one is, one receives. How then can we be so quick to judge and condemn others yet hope, wish and even beg for forgives? We cannot receive except that which we give and thus, if we give judgment and condemnation, so are we judged and condemned. If Allah forgives even what the world labels the worst of sins, how can any human assume the arrogance of not forgiving others what we

judge as wrong? Who are we to judge? By what criteria does one judge? And which human can claim guiltlessness so as to elevate him/herself to a position of rendering judgment upon another? Remember, the world is but a projection of ones mind. If one encounters thieves and scoundrels in ones life, one IS that thief/scoundrel one presumes to judge. So if one should judge, let ones self be the first to be judged before pointing the finger at any other. If one were truly innocent, the world would reflect nothing but ones innocent and pure state back. These, my friends, are my thoughts you are free to disagree.

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