وَجَزَاءُ سَيِّئَةٍ سَيِّئَةٌ مِّثْلُهَا ۖ فَمَنْ عَفَا وَأَصْلَحَ فَأَجْرُهُ عَلَى اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الظَّالِمِينَ

This verse establishes a balanced approach to justice and forgiveness. It first affirms the principle of proportional justice—that one has the right to respond to harm with an equivalent response, neither more nor less. However, it then presents a higher moral option: to forgive and reconcile. This forgiveness is not presented as weakness but as strength, with Allah Himself promising to reward those who choose this path. The verse concludes by emphasizing that Allah does not love wrongdoers, indicating that while forgiveness is encouraged, oppression is never condoned. This teaching provides guidance for both personal conflicts and broader social justice, balancing rights with mercy.