And if you punish [an enemy, O believers], punish with an equivalent of that with which you were harmed.720 But if you are patient - it is better for those who are patient.
Verse 126 of Surah An-Nahl (16:126), a Meccan surah, is in juz 14, on page 281 of the mushaf. Read it in Arabic with its transliteration, translations and tafsir, and listen to it recited by 73 reciters.
Listen to verse 126 of Surah An-Nahl
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Tafsir of verse 126
Al-Mukhtasar
If you want to retaliate against your enemy then retaliate to the same degree that they harmed you and not more. But if you are patient and do not retaliate despite having the ability to do so, then that is better for the patient amongst you than taking revenge by retaliating against them.
If you retaliate, let your retaliation be the like of what you suffered. But if you bear with patience, it is surely best for those who are steadfast.
And if you punish (your enemy, O you believers in the Oneness of Allâh), then punish them with the like of that with which you were afflicted. But if you endure patiently, verily, it is better for As-Sâbirûn (the patient).26
Notes
[26] (V.16:126)
a) The Statement of Allâh: "Only those who are patient shall receive their rewards in full, without reckoning" (V.39:10)
Narrated Abu Mûsâ رضي الله عنه : The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "None is more patient than Allâh against the harmful saying He hears from the people, they ascribe a son (or offspring) to Him, yet He gives them health and (supplies them with) provision." (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol.8, Hadith No.121)
b) Narrated ‘Abdullâh رضي الله عنه: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم divided and distributed something as he used to do with some of his distributions. A man from the Ansâr said, "By Allâh! in this division the pleasure of Allâh has not been intended." I said, "I will definitely tell this to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. " So I went to him while he was sitting with his companions and told him of it secretly. That was hard upon the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and the colour of his face changed, and he became so angry that I wished I had not told him. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم then said, "Mûsâ (Moses) was harmed with more than this, yet he remained patient." (Sahih Al Bukhari, Vol.8, Hadith No.122)
If ye punish, then punish with the like of that wherewith ye were afflicted. But if ye endure patiently, verily it is better for the patient.
And if ye do catch them out, catch them out no worse than they catch you out: But if ye show patience, that is indeed the best (course) for those who are patient.
And if you take your turn, then retaliate with the like of that with which you were afflicted; but if you are patient, it will certainly be best for those who are patient.
And in case you (This is addressed to all believers) punish, then punish with the like of that wherewith you were punished; and indeed in case you endure patiently, indeed it is more charitable of the patient.
Some people from ‘Ukl or ‘Uraynah came, and the climate of Madīnah did not suit them, so they became ill. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) ordered them with the milch camels and drink from their urine and milk. They left, and when they recovered, they killed the herdsman of…
فَأَمَرَهُمُ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِلِقَاحٍ، وَأَنْ يَشْرَبُوا مِنْ أَبْوَالِهَا وَأَلْبَانِهَا، فَانْطَلَقُوا، فَلَمَّا صَحُّوا قَتَلُوا رَاعِيَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَاسْتَاقُوا النَّعَمَ، فَجَاءَ…
And the retribution for an evil act is an evil one like it, but whoever pardons and makes reconciliation - his reward is [due] from Allāh. Indeed, He does not like wrongdoers.
And We ordained for them therein a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth, and for wounds is legal retribution. But whoever gives [up his right as] charity, it is an expiation for him. And whoever does not judge by what Allāh has revealed - then it is those who are the wrongdoers [i.e., the unjust].
