Forgiveness is important for sustaining an individual’s heart and mental peace. While dua is like a tool that helps people seek guidance, making dua for returning a supplication of forgiveness shows an individual's humility and sense of accountability towards their actions and life. Often, forgiving is a hard act that requires one to have an open heart. To forgive is to have a bigger heart, and when someone seeks forgiveness for their action, making dua for the one who has offended you and you have chosen to forgive them can help one deal with difficult circumstances with compassion.
Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) loves those who forgive and He instructs us to pardon as the Holy Quran says ". . . and let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." [Quran 24:22]
The etiquette of reciting dua for returning a supplication of forgiveness involves being humble and sincere in one's response. If you truly forgive someone, do not bring it up again to them or make a half-hearted prayer. When making dua for someone’s forgiveness, make sure you make the supplication clearly and compassionately. Be genuine in your intention for the well-being of the other person and their guidance.
Forgiving frees people of unnecessary burden and grief in their hearts. Forgiveness is liberating for the one who forgives and the forgiver, which helps one stay at peace in their heart and mind. Moreover, responding with a supplication makes one compassionate and understand that we all make mistakes. Forgiveness strengthens the relationships and society by instilling compassion and empathy for others. It allows one to have an open heart for oneself and those around, fostering a collective growth culture.