How do I deal with resentment as a Muslim?

Feeling hurt isn't a sin

Resentment usually grows from a real wound: a parent who rejected you after your shahada, a friend who betrayed you, an ex who lied. Feeling angry about that is human. The problem is when the feeling settles in and starts to poison your prayers, your sleep and your other relationships. Islam wants your heart to be free, not heavy.

What Islam teaches about grudges

The Prophet ﷺ said, "Do not hate one another, do not envy one another, do not turn your backs on one another, and be servants of Allah as brothers" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6065). He also said it isn't lawful for a Muslim to cut off a brother for more than three days (Sahih al-Bukhari 6077). Allah asks us to pardon, and links it to our own forgiveness:

The Prophet ﷺ added that Allah increases the person who forgives only in honor (Sahih Muslim 2588).

Forgiving isn't the same as trusting

You can forgive someone and still keep your distance. Forgiveness means you stop wishing them harm and hand the matter to Allah. It doesn't mean you must let an abusive person back into your life. See Do I have to forgive someone who abused me as a Muslim? and How do I set boundaries with toxic family as a Muslim?

Practical steps

• Name it: write down what happened and what it cost you. Unspoken pain festers.
• Stop replaying: when the memory loops, say "a'udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim" and change activity.
• Make dua for your heart: ask Allah to remove the bitterness, even before you feel ready to forgive. See Can I make dua against someone who hurt me?
• Talk to someone: a counselor can help, especially if the resentment comes from trauma.