Will God not forgive me unless I forgive His servants?
Forgiving people is Islamically desirable. Allah Almighty says: "And let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allah should forgive you?" And the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "And Allah does not increase a servant in anything due to pardon except in honor." Forgiveness is not obligatory; rather, it is among the recommended and virtuous deeds. Forgiveness is a virtue through which one hopes for Allah's forgiveness, and refraining from it does not prevent Allah's forgiveness, nor is a person held accountable for abandoning something recommended. As for the sins of servants between them and Allah, they are either repented for, in which case they are forgiven, or they are not repented for, in which case they are subject to Allah's will, except for shirk (associating partners with Allah).
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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