The origin of teachings of Islam and the existence of Holy Prophet P.
B.U.H is encompassed around the phenomena of mercy and compassion was his predominant virtue as mentioned repeatedly in Quran:”Surely, a Messenger has come unto you from among yourselves; grievous to him is it that you should fall into trouble; he is ardently desirous of your welfare; and to the believers he is specially compassionate and merciful.” (9:128)Compassion, mercy and forgiveness is repeatedly mentioned in Quran, both as an example of how humans should practice mercy in their daily life and also as a predominant trait of Allah the exalted. It has been emphasized so much that the scope of forgiveness is tightly linked with the kindness and mercy of Allah as specifically mentioned in the following verse”Except the one who repents and believes and does good things, these are the people whose faults Allah will replace with virtues.
And Allah is Most Forgiving, Ever Merciful.” (25:71) (9:60)In the light of Holy Hadith and SunnahGod’s final Prophet and messenger, Muhammad, was sent as a mercy, not only to the mankind but, in fact, to the worlds. It has an explicit importance in the spiritual and religious arena of Islam as can be depicted by the following Hadit Abu Huraira, reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying:”When Allah created the creation, He wrote in the Book, which is with Him over His Throne: ‘Verily, My mercy predominates My wrath.'” (al-Bukhari) Salman, another companion, reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Verily, Allah created, on the same very day when He created the heavens and the earth, one hundred parts of mercy. Every part of mercy is coextensive with the space between the heavens and the earth and He out of this mercy endowed one part to the earth and it is because of this that the mother shows affection to her child and even the beasts and birds show kindness to one another and when there would be the Day of Resurrection, Allah would make full (use of Mercy). (al-Muslim).
Muhammad (PBUH) was an embodiment of mercy and examples of his acts of kindness can be drawn from his life. His mercy towards the enemies and act of kindness towards Badr war captives is an example of such a trait. Muhammad (PBUH) made sure that they were given the best of treatment. Among them was a man who denounced the prophet and Umar, one of the prophet’s closest companions suggested that two of his lower teeth be pulled so he may not speak evil. The prophet replied: “Were I to do this, Allah would disfigure me on the Day of Judgment, despite the fact that I am His messenger.
“In Makkah, his enemies inflicted him with every kind of suffering, eventually forcing him to migrate, and they then waged war on him for five years while he was residing in Madinah. When God granted him victory and conquered Makkah without bloodshed 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.”Impact on Mankind and SocietyA true follower of the Prophet has to be merciful and compassionate to the extent humanly possible. Anyone who is cruel and has no sensitivity towards the suffering of others cannot be the prophet’s true follower.The Qur’an further emphasizes sympathy for the weaker sections of the society, in which it includes, among others, orphans, widows, the poor and the exploited, and other politically or socially and economically oppressed people. It emphasizes different ways of helping them. Zakah, the poor-due, has been made obligatory on all believing Muslims, men or women to help the less fortunate ones.
Thus the Qur’an says,”(Zakat) charity is only for the poor and the needy and those employed to administer it, and those whose hearts are made to incline, and (to free) the captives, and those in debt, and in the way of Allah and for the wayfarer – an ordinance from Allah. And Allah is Knowing, Wise.”The Prophet Muhammad further said: “Verily, God will only show mercy to those of His servants who do good to others.” He also said: “Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or he is oppressed.” People asked, O Allah’s apostle, it is all right to help him if he is oppressed, but how should we help him if he is an oppressor?” The Prophet said, “By preventing him from oppressing others” (al-Bukhari). Another saying of his: “Allah will help his servants as long as they help their fellow brothers.
” ConclusionHumans have fallen victims to greed and other selfish desires that is shattering the balance in the society. Greed, hatred, jealousy, and prejudice are the obstacles to restoring human dignity and eliminating human suffering. When these obstacles are removed, man returns to his pure nature of compassion and kindness. Returning to our pure and intrinsic nature strengthens the bond of fraternity for no one is superior over another.
Resorting to the compassion, as exemplified by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) can help us eliminate many societal problems and imbalance created in the current world.