Islam is the Religion of Mercy

Allah is the Most Gracious (al-Rahman) and the Most Merciful (al-Rahim), Who preserves, protects and blesses all existence with His limitless mercy. He states that “My mercy has passed My rage.”⁴⁰ and forgives people by force of this mercy. He (swt) wants people to be merciful and behave mercifully.

The Prophet Muhammad (saw), the most perfect human, is the messenger of mercy. He is the prophet of mercy and compassion. His Companions gathered around him because he was not cold-hearted or rude; and the society of ignorance who were prone to violence met with mercy under his leadership.

In the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, mercy is defined as an attentive attitude showing respect to being rather than a shallow feeling of pity. Because Islam attaches value to every creature created by Allah, thus, every creature deserves mercy. Humankind attains the mercy of Allah by showing mercy to the creatures on earth.

Of course, the best reflection of mercy is reciprocal communication, compassion, favor and cooperation among Muslims. However, mercy is not only shown to humans, believers, good or poor people. The morality of Islam requires to be merciful especially toward children, elderly, and ill people who are unable to protect their rights, and animals that are consigned to them.

Oppression and violence, which are the opposite of mercy, are strictly prohibited in Islam. The destructive behaviors people display by misusing either their mental or physical power are contrary to the fact that “humans were created to render the world prosperous.” Violence can never be accepted regardless of whom or what it is against. All types of physical, emotional or economic violence are regarded as a crime against humanity as it violates personal immunity.

In this respect, the lifestyle of the Prophet Muhammad, in other words the Sunnah, has the mindset that completely stops violence and adopts mercy as a principle. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) rejected all negative beliefs and behaviors consisting of violence that the mindset of the society of ignorance bears. He made efforts to wipe off violence which causes grudge, anger, jealousy, greed, revenge, pain and tears from all of the social layers. He protected the rights and dignity of women and little girls by never accepting violence and discrimination against them. Displaying a coarse, brutal, cruel and merciless attitude towards women in domestic and social life can never be based on the fundamental sources of Islam.

Moreover, the Prophet Muhammad commanded to abide by law and morality even in times of battle. It is noteworthy that he commanded people to act nicely towards prisoners; and forbade the killing of the elderly, women, children, and clerics. As the members of a religion forbidding violence and ferocity even in war, Muslims are the envoys of mercy. Because they have belief and love for humans in their hearts, rightful due and awareness of the Hereafter in their conscience, and the example of the Holy Qur’an and Prophet Muhammad before them.

The duty of the believers is to help those in need, protect and save those in a difficult situation, and introduce love and trust to their environment. Because the believers get close to Allah, the Most Merciful, through their merciful decisions, sentences, and acts. The Prophet Muhammad said, “Allah will not be merciful to those who are not merciful to people.”⁴¹