Father of slain victim forgives man involved in his son’s murder
The father of a slain victim has forgiven the man involved in his son’s murder. Abdul-Munim Sombat Jimtoud hugged the man who was sentenced for being complicit in his son’s murder, saying that forgiveness is “the greatest act of charity in Islam”. His son, Salahuddin Jimtoud, was killed in April 2015 after delivering pizza to an apartment complex in Lexington, Kentucky. The defendant, Trey Alexander Relford, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 31 years in prison. He told the Jitmoud family, “There’s not much I can really say. I’m sorry about what happened that day. I cannot do nothing to give that back to you.” Jimtoud said he found comfort knowing that “Whatever happens to you is from Allah. Let the believer put their trust in Him.” He also gave reference to the 51st verse of the ninth chapter of the Quran that states that “Never will we be struck except by what Allah has decreed for us; He is our protector.’ And upon Allah [God] let the believers rely.” After the sentencing, Jimtoud whispered into Relford’s ear to let him know that Allah is extremely forgiving and that he should aspire to do good deeds well into the future. Forgiveness is no doubt a highly regarded act in Islam, whereby God Almighty who is Himself “The Most Forgiving”, instructs the believers to pardon one another and forgive others.“The believers are those who spend in charity during ease and hardship and who restrain their anger and pardon the people, for Allah loves the doers of good.” Quran 3:134 The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also taught that “No one forgives, except that Allah will raise his honour”. Sahih MuslimMay Allah accept this noble and virtuous act by Jimtoud and allow it to be a means of inspiration for others to follow in his footsteps.