(266) Chapter: Prohibition of Reviling a Muslim without any cause

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "When two persons indulge in abusing each other, the beginner will be the sinner so long as the oppressed does not transgress the limits."

[Muslim].

Commentary: This Hadith tells us that if a Muslim abuses another and says unfair things about him and in return the recipient also abuses him and says unfair things to the same extent, then the entire burden of sin of abusing would lie with the person who initiated the quarrel. But if the one who is wronged, exceeds the limits in revenge, then he will also be guilty to the degree of his excess. Thus, this Hadith shows that although revenge is permissible in Islam, it is better to forgive and bear the excess with patience. The reason behind this is that in revenge, one usually exceeds the limits and becomes an aggressor. Allah says: "And verily, whosoever shows patience and forgives, that would truly be from the things recommended by Allah.'' (42:43).