Do I Have to Apologise to Those I’ve Wronged for Specific Matters?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question

If we apologize to people we have wronged, is it enough to say “I want to apologize for every wrong that I have done“ or do I have to list everything?

Answer

I pray you are well.

It’s enough to apologize in a general sense for all that you have done to the individual. If they have said they forgive you for all you have done, you do not have to – and probably should not – bring up specific scenarios.

Once you have been forgiven the best thing to do is to ensure you don’t wrong that person or anyone else again. Being forgiven for wrongdoing is a blessing. It’s better to stay safe and save yourself from having to apologize in the first place. “Indeed, wrongdoing (zulm) is darknesses on the Day of Judgement.“ [Bukhari]

Be grateful for having been forgiven for any wrongdoing you’ve done to others. You’ve got away from a lot of difficulty on the Day of Judgement.

May Allah pardon us all.
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History he moved to Damascus in 2007 where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.