New
New
Year 11
Eduqas

Muslim attitudes to forgiveness

I can explain Muslim beliefs about forgiveness and how they are shown through repentance and restorative justice.

New
New
Year 11
Eduqas

Muslim attitudes to forgiveness

I can explain Muslim beliefs about forgiveness and how they are shown through repentance and restorative justice.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Forgiveness involves releasing feelings of blame or resentment towards those who have caused harm.
  2. Some say forgiveness avoids responsibility; others see it as key to healing.
  3. Forgiveness is a key Islamic principle, taught in both the Qur’an and Hadith, and closely connected to Allah’s mercy.
  4. Muslim prison chaplains guide offenders in reflecting on their actions and give spiritual support.
  5. Islam supports restorative justice, when victims and offenders communicate, as it helps offenders take responsibility.

Keywords

  • Forgiveness - to grant pardon for a wrongdoing; to give up resentment and the desire to seek revenge against a wrongdoer

  • Repentance - the act of recognising that something you have done is wrong and choosing to turn away from it

  • Restorative justice - an approach to justice that focuses on repairing the harm caused by wrongdoing through dialogue and understanding

Common misconception

Forgiveness in Islam means the offender is not punished.

Islam allows for both justice and forgiveness. An offender may still face consequences, but forgiveness is encouraged when there is sincere taubah and efforts to make amends.


To help you plan your year 11 religious education lesson on: Muslim attitudes to forgiveness, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Encourage discussion about why forgiveness might be difficult, even when Islamic teachings emphasise it.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What kind of evil is caused by earthquakes, hurricanes, or disease?

social evil
Correct answer: natural evil
moral evil
human evil

Q2.
The belief that God allows suffering to help people grow spiritually is called...

Correct Answer: soul-making, soul making

Q3.
Which philosopher is associated with the logical problem of evil?

John Hick
Irenaeus
Correct answer: Epicurus
Augustine

Q4.
The triad describes the contradiction between God's goodness, God's power, and the existence of evil.

Correct Answer: inconsistent, Inconsistent

Q5.
Which of the following best reflects the soul-making theodicy?

Suffering exists to punish wrongdoing.
Suffering has no purpose and should be avoided.
Suffering helps people grow closer to God.
Correct answer: Suffering proves God does not exist.

Q6.
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, suffering entered the world through sin.

Correct Answer: original, Original

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following is one of Allah’s names that reflects forgiveness?

Al-Rahman
Correct answer: Al-Ghafoor
Al-Malik
Al-Haqq

Q2.
Muslims believe that sincere is required in order to receive Allah’s forgiveness.

Correct Answer: repentance, Repentance

Q3.
What is the main purpose of restorative justice?

To replace criminal courts.
Correct answer: To repair harm through dialogue.
To punish the offender.
To avoid legal consequences.

Q4.
According to the Qur’an, those who others will receive Allah’s mercy.

Correct Answer: forgive, Forgive

Q5.
Which Qur’an verse teaches Muslims not to despair of Allah’s mercy?

Surah 3:134
Surah 64:14
Correct answer: Surah 39:53
Surah 3:135

Q6.
Islamic teachings support {[}} that includes both accountability and mercy.

Correct Answer: justice, Justice

Additional material

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