Forgiving spirit at play

The spirit of forgiveness is recognised universally. The philosophy is not peculiar to any geographical location in particular. It is a quality of mind that is not endowed equally to individuals. There is a saying: “Mortals are equally born, but we are not equally talented.” Like the five fingers of our hands, we mortals are not equal. We do not, and cannot operate on identical wavelength. Individuals cannot behave in the like manner as the biological parents. If they do, it is by accident. Therefore, all of us may not possess the quality of forgiving spirit. It is often commented: “That man is a chip off the old block,” meaning that in physical appearance, he is like the father or the mother; ditto to attitude.

The ability to pardon offender(s) is inborn; an innate tendency, that is. If someone is unforgiving, he is described as hard-hearted and cruel. Forgiving spirit is the balm to smooth strained relationships. The practice is desirable in human relations, among private individuals and the nations of the world. It helps to unlock the riches of the society. Without the spirit of forgiveness, there can be no economic, political and social advancements; it is the sine qua non for the progress of any society.

What is meant by a “society”? According to the Oxford Concise Dictionary of Politics: “The word Society can be stretched or narrowed to cover almost the form of association of persons possessing any degree of common interests, values or goals.” Nobody can live in isolation. By society, it is meant, people in general, living together in communities. A family is a society, with the husband as the head, teachers and their students, landlords and tenants in a compound, doctors and patients, religious leaders and the members, political fathers and their followers, including the masses et cetera. Without the positive spirit between husband and the wife, their togetherness is comparable to a cup of black coffee without sugar. Similarly, an unforgiving political leader is abhorrent to the followers, and the masses at large. Without the philosophy of forgiveness, it is politics of bitterness, anarchism and down-right retrogression. It is also a danger to our fledgling democracy.

The doctrine of forgiveness pervades all the strata of religious faiths in the country. Beginning with Christianity, Matthew, chapter 6, verse 12, says: “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.’’ Matthew, chapter 18, verses 21 to 22, states: “Peter asked Our Blessed Lord, Jesus, how many times shall I forgive my brother’s sin against me, seven times?” Jesus replied: “Seventy times seven times.” In Luke chapter 6, verse 37, Our Blessed Lord, Jesus, teaches us: “Forgive and you shall be forgiven.” Also, in Luke, chapter 17, verse 3, says: “If your brother trespasses against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.”

In Islam, the Quran enjoins in chapter 3, verse 133: “Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord.’’ Also in Quran chapter 3, verse 134: “Those who spend freely, whether in prosperity or in adversity; who restrain anger, and pardon all men; for Allah loves those who do good”. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) enjoined: “Have mercy on the people on earth, He in the heaven will have mercy on you”. These are the positions in Monotheism.

Polytheism is not different. The philosophy of forgiveness is not alien to traditional faith (isese or esin abalaye). In traditional religion, the adherents are even stricter and tenacious in their observance of the philosophy. “In the ancient days, Prophet Orunmila (that is, the progenitor of the other oracles), taught his people, through Ifa oracle, in the Odu Oguda and Odu Irosun to display mercy to offenders. These legendary personalities were on their way to visit the then reigning Oba Alafin of Oyo(now, in Oyo state). Somewhere en route to Oyo, the duo arrived at a spot of Ogun (god of iron), where many heads were nailed to an Akoko tree.

On few minutes of reflection, Oguda enlightened Odu Irosun: “Not all the convicts’ heads on this Akoko tree are criminals; some of the executed people were innocent”. Irosun disbelieved and disputed the assertion with Oguda. Whereupon, Oguda decided to slaughter Oba Alafin’s sheep and smear Irosun’s mouth with the blood at sleep, to implicate Irosun. This was to prove Oguda’s assertion and to teach Irosun a lesson to respect a senior’s understandings of world affairs and experiences. On walking from the slumber, the then Oba of Oyo took both to the Akoko tree at the Ogun location to behead Irosun who was innocent. Thereupon, Oguda confessed to the Oba of Oyo that it was him, Oguda, but not Irosun who indeed killed the sheep. Irosun was pardoned for the purported crime and spared of his dear life, for his innocence. Because of the confessional statement, Oguda was also forgiven. It was a lesson in the history of humanity that not every jailed criminal actually offends, and that free pardoned is desirable.

There are many kings and king-makers who lack forgiving spirit in this country. Some of our leaders often play God. Conversely, however, indiscipline must not be condoned and sacrificed for the philosophy of forgiveness. That forgiving spirit is solemnly canvassed for in this opinion piece does not confer immunity to culprits. For example, frequently forgiven lateness of students to the classroom or staff to the office encourages Lateness. Frequent insubordination between husbands and wives, breeds further insubordinations, if backed up with forgiveness. It encourages weakness in personality, integrity and abuse. In an office, excessiveness weakens administration. My contention is that forgiveness must be in moderations; that is, few and far between.

In the light of the foregoing narrations, my submission is that a person in higher authority (that is, a leader), must be merciful to his offending followers, more so as the followers demonstrate the utmost repentance, and have some records of good performances.
Oshisada is a veteran journalist, wrote from Ikorodu, Lagos.