If One Is Pardoned by His Brother — Mercy Within Retribution
asbab
Level: intermediate
madani-events
as-056
فَمَنۡ عُفِيَ لَهُۥ مِنۡ أَخِيهِ شَيۡءٌ فَٱتِّبَاعُۢ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِ
— البقرة 178
Verse: "Whoever is pardoned by his brother — let there be a reasonable follow-through and payment to him with good conduct." (2:178)
Context: When qisas verses were revealed — Jews only accepted execution and Arabs only accepted qisas. Islam brought a third option: pardon and blood money — as a relief and mercy from Allah.
"His brother": Calling the killer the wali's "brother" — signaling Islam restores the killer to Islamic brotherhood after pardon. Crime doesn't nullify eternal brotherhood.
Lesson: The verse regulates both sides — the pardoner must not exceed, and the payee must give generously. Grace flows in both directions.
Source: Al-Qurtubi (2/245); Ibn Kathir (1/496); Al-Jassas
Question: Why does the Quran call the killer a "brother" to the victim's guardian?
Answer: Signaling that pardon restores the offender to Islamic brotherhood — crime doesn't nullify the eternal faith bond; rather pardon revives it.