Intermediate Ethics & Manners Surah: Fussilat (34)

Verse: "Repel with what is better — and he between you and whom was enmity will become as though he were a devoted friend." (41:34)

Reflection:
"Fa-idha" — the "fa" of surprise and "idha" of the sudden: the transformation is instant and astonishing. The Quran says returning evil with good does not delay its result — it strikes like lightning: your enemy suddenly becomes as if a devoted friend.

But it is not for everyone:
Immediately after: "But none is granted it except those who are patient, and none is granted it except one of great fortune" — indicating this quality is rare, and whoever achieves it has a tremendous share.

"Great fortune":
Ibn Abbas said: "It is Paradise." Mujahid said: "One of complete reason and perfect religion." The person of complete wisdom sees in returning evil with good a double gain: reward in the Hereafter and peace in this life.

Lesson: The easy equation "you wronged me, so I wrong you" gains nothing. The difficult equation "you wronged me, so I did good" gains everything.

Source: Ibn Kathir (7/175); Al-Sadi; Al-Qurtubi (15/366)

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