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Majlis of Pursuit
A man seen from behind sets a bundle of money and a sheet of paper on a shop counter, while the shopkeeper opposite folds his arms and looks down
Illustration

InvestigationEthics9 min

If someone has done something terrible, can they genuinely become a different person?

Follow a fictional person's effort to change after causing harm. Consider repentance, accountability, and repair as related but distinct questions—without asking the person harmed to forgive, reconcile, or help complete someone else's redemption.

Exhibit 01
14%

Exhibit 01

The harm is real

Sam shared a private message without permission. The person who wrote it felt exposed and asked Sam not to contact them. Sam deleted the post, but other people had already copied it.

Sam wishes the situation could be undone. The person affected still has to deal with what happened. Their safety, privacy, and choices matter whether or not Sam feels remorse.

This is a fictional example, not a template for every kind of harm. Different situations call for different forms of support and accountability.

Reflect

When someone has caused harm, whose needs should be considered first?

Sources in this experience

  • Qur'an 39:53 — Quran.com

    Saheeh International translation, Quran.com resource 20

    View source
  • Qur'an 25:70 — Quran.com

    Saheeh International translation, Quran.com resource 20

    View source
  • Sahih Muslim 2581 — Dar-us-Salam

    Arabic-English 7-volume set; translated by Nasiruddin al-Khattab; first edition, June 2007

    View publisher edition details View source
  • Sahih al-Bukhari 2449 — Dar-us-Salam

    Arabic-English 9-volume set; translated by Muhammad Muhsin Khan

    View publisher edition details View source
  • Qur'an 30:30 — Quran.com

    Saheeh International translation, Quran.com resource 20

    View source
  • Ethico-Religious Concepts in the Qur’an — Toshihiko Izutsu, 2002, McGill-Queen's University Press View source
  • Jāmiʿ al-bayān (tafsir on Qur’an 30:30 and 39:53) — Al-Ṭabarī
  • Tafsīr al-Qurʾān al-ʿAẓīm (tafsir on Qur’an 30:30 and 39:53) — Ibn Kathīr
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