Muslims are required to have good human ties and friendly relations with all. If it happens that someone hurts one’s feelings, one should not respond in a similar attitude. Under all circumstances, good manners are supposed to be the distinguishing features of the Muslim in every age and clime.
Sheikh Muhammed Nur Abdullah, president of ISNA (Islamic Society of North America) and member of the Fiqh Council of North America, states the following: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said: “The true Muslim is the one who the other Muslims are safe from his tongue and hand.”
Based on the above hadith, the Muslim is not allowed to hurt others’ feelings. If someone has hurt your feelings, you should express your anger by telling her that you did not like the way she behaved towards you and that you did not like that attitude. But this does not justify that you respond with the same attitude, as you will be doing another bad deed. Allah Almighty says: (The good deed and the evil deed are not alike. Repel the evil deed with one which is better, then lo! he, between whom and thee there was enmity (will become) as though he was a bosom friend.) (Fussilat 41:34)
Thus, hurting others’ feelings or thinking badly about them even if they cursed and plotted against us should be avoided. With this, we will be applying the Prophetic morals in our life.
Having said this, we can finally add there is nothing wrong in case one is defamed in public to defend oneself in a lawful way by resorting to legal channels.
Above all, to forgive is a divine act, and to pardon others for their mistakes is a sign of one’s noble character and high morals.