Tafsir of Ash-Shura 42:40

"And the retribution for an evil deed is an evil [one] like it..."

Both actions—the initial one and its retribution—are termed "evil" (sayyi'ah) because they cause distress to the one upon whom they fall. Allah the Exalted said: "And if a misfortune (sayyi'ah) befalls them, they say, 'This is from you'" (An-Nisa: 78), meaning the calamities and afflictions that distress them.

The meaning is: It is required that when an offense is met, it must be met with its equal, without excess. If one says, "May Allah disgrace you," the response is, "May Allah disgrace you."

"But whoever pardons and makes reconciliation..."

...between himself and his adversary through forgiveness and overlooking the offense, as the Exalted said: "Then the one between whom and you there is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend" (Fussilat: 34).

"...his reward is with Allah."

This is an unspecified promise, the magnitude of which cannot be measured.

"Indeed, He does not like the wrongdoers."

This indicates that in seeking retribution, one is rarely safe from exceeding the bounds of the original offense or committing aggression, especially in a state of anger and inflamed zeal. Thus, the one seeking retribution may become a wrongdoer without realizing it.

It is narrated from the Prophet (ﷺ): "On the Day of Resurrection, a herald will call out: 'Let those who have a reward from Allah stand up.' A multitude will stand. It will be said to them: 'What is your reward with Allah?' They will reply: 'We are those who forgave those who wronged us.' It will be said to them: 'Enter Paradise by the permission of Allah.'"

"And whoever avenges himself after having been wronged—those have not against them any cause [for blame]. The cause is only against the ones who wrong the people and tyrannize upon the earth without right. Those will have a painful punishment."