There is something better than revenge | The Sunday Guardian | 6th May 2012 | Page 10
According to Quranic teachings, revenge is not an option. Revenge only increases the problem. The chapter entitled Al-Nahl (Bees) of the Quran gives practical advice on this point.
The translation of the relevant verses is as follows: "If you want to retaliate, retaliate to the same degree as the injury done to you. But if you are patient, it is better to be so" (16:126).
What is revenge? Revenge is the action of inflicting hurt or harm on someone for an injury or wrong suffered at their hands. According to Quranic teachings, there are two levels of revenge — one may be called equal revenge and the second may be described as "you forget the bad experience you received from the other".
Although revenge or retaliation is allowed but with a strict condition — that it should be an equal revenge, not exceeding the others' bad action — but in fact it is not an option. It is so difficult that no sincere person will take this option.
There is no available measurement that may tell you that your retaliation was completely equal to the action you received from the other.
So, this option is only a hypothetical option. Any sincere person will decide not to take this option, because if during the retaliation you exceed the limit you will be punished by God Almighty, and you cannot bear to do so.
Practically, there is only one option, which is forgiveness. While revenge may open a new chapter that is revenge after revenge, but forgiveness ends this chain. Forgiveness means that you have put a full stop, while revenge in this case means that you have put commas. Forgiveness in such cases is rewardable action. Forgiveness is a highly valuable deed. You will find its reward in the world hereafter.