Surah Al-Hajj — Verse 60

Key Words and Phrases:

• عاقب (ʿāqaba): To punish or retaliate.
• بِمِثْلِ مَا عُوقِبَ بِهِ (bi-mithli mā ʿūqiba bihi): With the like of what one was punished with — meaning, to respond to an injustice with an equivalent measure of defense or retribution.
• بُغِيَ عَلَيْهِ (bughiya ʿalayhi): To be wronged or oppressed again; to have transgression committed against one after having already retaliated.
• لَيَنصُرَنَّهُ (laya-nṣurannahu): Allah will surely grant victory and support.
• عَفُوٌّ (ʿAfuww): The One Who pardons and overlooks sins.
• غَفُورٌ (Ghafūr): The Oft-Forgiving, Who conceals sins and forgives repeatedly.

Explanation of the Verse:

This verse follows the mention of the believers who emigrated for the sake of Allah and were promised Paradise. The verse begins with "That [is so]" — referring to the magnificent reward and divine justice mentioned earlier. Then it establishes a profound principle of justice: "And whoever retaliates with the like of what he was punished with" — meaning, if a person is wronged or oppressed, they have the right to defend themselves and respond to the aggressor with an equivalent measure, without exceeding the bounds of fairness. This is not an encouragement to vengeance, but a permission for self-defense and the restoration of one's rights.

However, the verse then addresses a specific situation: "Then he is wronged again" — if the oppressor persists in his transgression and attacks the victim once more, after the victim has already retaliated proportionately, then "Allah will surely aid him." This is a divine promise of victory and support for the one who has been wronged, even after they have sought justice. It reassures the believer that Allah does not abandon those who are oppressed, and that His justice will prevail over the aggressor's tyranny.

The verse concludes with a beautiful reminder of Allah's attributes: "Indeed, Allah is Pardoning and Forgiving." This serves as a gentle call to the believers to also embody forgiveness and mercy in their hearts, even when they have been wronged. While Allah grants the right to retaliation, He encourages the higher path of pardon — and He Himself, the All-Powerful, pardons His servants despite their sins, and forgives them repeatedly. If Allah, Who is capable of immediate punishment, chooses to forgive, then how much more fitting it is for His servants to forgive one another?

A Call to Reflection and Action:

This verse beautifully balances justice and mercy — two pillars of Islamic ethics. It teaches us that Islam is not a religion of passivity or weakness; it permits standing up against oppression and defending one's rights. Yet, at the same time, it elevates the soul by reminding us of the virtue of forgiveness. When you are wronged, know that Allah sees your struggle and has promised His support. Do not despair, for divine justice is certain. And if you are able to forgive, know that Allah — the Most Forgiving — loves those who forgive, and His reward for such patience is immense. Let this verse fill your heart with hope and trust in Allah's justice, and let it inspire you to be both firm in truth and generous in mercy — for these are the qualities of the beloved servants of Allah.