forgiveness from them. It is incumbent upon every Muslim to fulfil the rights of people, and to abandon the fulfilment of the necessary rights is a major sin, which cannot be forgiven through repenting alone. Rather, it is necessary to repent and then fulfil the rights or have them relieved from you. 

How to Relieve Someone of Fulfilling a Right

It is written on page 115 of volume 2 of Ihya ul-Uloom:

Remember, mentioning a sin you committed and making others aware of it is another sin entirely, which you must seek forgiveness for too. If you have infringed someone’s right, mention it to them. However, if they do not forgive you, the sin will remain as they have a right to not forgive. Remember, the one from whom forgiveness is being sought should forgive. It is mentioned in a Hadith, “If a brother approaches you to apologise, you should forgive your brother, regardless of if he is lying or telling the truth. The one who does not forgive will be unable to come to the Fountain of Kawthar.”^[1]

The one seeking forgiveness should be gentle towards him, assist him in his needs and affairs, and display love and compassion towards him so that his heart is inclined towards him. A famous proverb asserts: man is a slave of kindness.

The person who is distant due to sins becomes inclined through good deeds. So, when there is a display of love and compassion, the person will forgive in time. However, if he still decides to not forgive, continue to be loving and kind; this may be a means of forgiveness on the Day of Judgement. It may be accepted as an expiation by the will of Allah Almighty. If someone destroys another’s wealth in this world, he offers to replace it. However, if the owner of the wealth refuses to accept it or