Kindness and compassion

Prophet Muhammad’s Teachings on Kindness and Compassion

The greatest level of compassion was shown by the Messenger (PBUH) to the believers. The following verse in the Quran expresses his compassion:

“There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer; [he is] concerned over you [i.e., your guidance] and to the believers is kind and merciful.”

Sa’d bin ‘Ubaadah once became ill, so Allah’s Messenger visited him in his house. On seeing his faithful Companion in a pitiful state, he was moved to tears. Then, he said:

“Allah does not punish because of tears, nor because of grief, but he punishes because of this.” - and he pointed to his tongue.

A Kindness to his Enemies

He was particularly hostile toward the prisoners of war who were captured during the Battle of Badr. That being said, he ensured they received the greatest care possible. Among them was Suhayl bin ‘Amr who was a fiery speaker and was denouncing the Prophet (PBUH). ‘Umar one the Prophet’s (PBUH) closest companions, suggested that two of his lower teeth be pulled out so that he might not be so vile in his speeches. The Prophet (PBUH) replied:

“Were I to do this, Allah would disfigure me on the Day of Judgment, despite the fact that I am His messenger.”

After he was forced to leave Makkah due to the various forms of torture he endured there, his people started a five-year war against him. But when he took Makkah in the twenty-first year of his prophetic life without shedding any blood, he asked the Makkan unbelievers who were awaiting his decision about them: “How do you expect me to treat you?” They responded unanimously: “You are a noble one, the son of a noble one.” He announced to them his decision: “You may go free! No reproach this day shall be on you; may God forgive you.”

A Mercy for Women

Additionally, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) showed women a great deal of kindness and affection. In those days, women were treated horribly. The Noble Prophet granted them honor and dignity at par with men in the community. ‘Umar reported: “We did not have much regard for women while we were at Makkah, but they were better treated in Madinah. Allah’s Messenger established women’s rights through his sayings and commandments, which improved their position and status.”

A Kindness to Children

Allah’s Messenger had a special place in his heart for children and demonstrated immense compassion in Islam. He would sit next to a crying youngster and express his or her emotions. He was more sensitive to a mother’s anguish for her child showing his sensitivity to a mother’s anguish for her child often than the mother herself. Once he said:

“I stand in prayer and wish to prolong it. However, I hear the cry of a child and cut the prayer short for the anxiety which the mother is feeling.”

This is one of the example of Holy Prophet Muhammad’s love for children and his understanding of their emotional needs.


He showed best examples of Islamic Parenting by taking children in his arms and embrace them to express his love for chidren. He was once hugging his beloved grandsons, Hasan and Hussain, when Aqrah bin Haabis told him, ‘I have got ten children. So far, I have not kissed any of them.’ Allah’s Messenger responded: “The one with no pity for others is not pitied.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) According to another version, he said: “What can I do for you if Allah has removed from you the feeling of compassion?” (At-Tirmidhi)

A Compassion for Animals

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stressed kindness to animals in Islam and regarded it as a commendable deed to get one closer to Allah. The Prophet (PBUH) commended kindness and calming the helpless animals as meritorious deeds that tend to draw man closer to Allah. He prohibited his companions from keeping the animals hungry or thirsty, as well as from disturbing or overburdening them. Abu Hurairah reports the Prophet as saying: “A traveler who was thirsty saw a well in the way. He got inside the well and when he came out he saw a dog licking mud due to thirst. The man realized that the dog was as thirsty as him, so he got into the well again, filled his leather sock with water and carried it out holding it with his teeth. Thus, he quenched the thirst of the dog. Allah was pleased with this act of kindness and pardoned his sins.” The Companions asked: “O Messenger of Allah is there recompense in the matter of beasts and wild animals also?” The Prophet replied: “There is recompense in regard to every creature that has a living heart.”

Abdullah bin ‘Umar related that the Prophet said: “A woman was cast away to hell only because she had withheld food and water from her cat and refused to set it free so that the cat might satisfy its hunger by eating worms and insects.”

Once on return from a military campaign, a few Companions took away the chicks of a bird from their nest to stroke them. The mother bird came back and when it could not find its chicks in the nest, it began to fly around screeching. When informed of the matter, Allah’s Messenger became angry and ordered the chicks to be put back in the nest. (Abu Dawood)

Conclusion

Unlike the ‘humanists’ of today, Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) showed the same love and compassion for all creatures. His sympathy and love were balanced and genuine. His sympathy was greater than anyone else’s. Allah, the Creator and Sustainer of all beings, raised him as a prophet for the sake of harmony in the universe and the welfare of all aware beings, including humans and jinn. As a result, he lived for the benefit of others rather than himself; he is a blessing to all people.

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