3. - Islamic politics @ Does Islam regard non-Muslimswith mercy and compassion?

3.
What is the Islamic view of humanity? Does it encourage us to love and respect others as human beings, regardless of their religion or race?
Praise be to Allah.
The Islamic view of humanity is filled with mercy and compassion, and it cannot be otherwise, because the Islamic religion is the last of the religions that were prescribed by Allah, may He be exalted, and He commanded all of mankind to enter this religion. He revealed this religion and sent it down to the most compassionate of mankind, Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). This is confirmed in the Book of Allah, where He says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And We have sent you (O Muhammad SAW) not but as a mercy for the ‘Alameen (mankind, jinns and all that exists)”
[al-Anbiya’ 4:107].
With regard to that, there are commands in the Qur’aan and Sunnah to the Muslims, instructing them to call people toaffirm the Oneness of Allah (Tawheed), and to offer their wealth, time and selves for that purpose. This is only out of compassion and mercy towards all people, so as to save them from worshipping people and calling them to worship the Lordof all people; to save them from the constraints of this world andbring them to the abundance of this world and the Hereafter, even if they (parents) were to try hard to keep their children away from Islam and tell them to associate others with Allah and to disbelieve. Concerning that Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years give thanks to Me and to your parents, unto Me is the final destination.
But if they (both) strive with you to make you join in worship with Me others that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not, but behavewith them in the world kindly, and follow the path of him who turns to Me in repentance and inobedience. Then to Me will be your return, and I shall tell you what you used to do”
[Luqmaan 31:14-15].
Islam advises us to treat neighbours kindly, even if they are not Muslim.
Al-Qurtubi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
I say: based on that, kind treatment of neighbours is enjoined and is recommended, whether they are Muslim or not. And this is the right thing to do. Kind treatment may be in the sense of helping or it may be in the sense of being kind, refraining from annoyance and standing by them. Al-Bukhaari narrated from ‘Aa’ishah that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Jibreel kept urging me to treat neighbours kindly until I thought that he would make them heirs.” And it was narratedfrom Abu Shurayh that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “By Allah, he does not believe; by Allah, he does not believe; by Allah, he does not believe.” It was said: O Messenger of Allah, who is that? He said: “The one whose neighbour is not safe from his annoyance.” This is general in meaning and applies to all neighbours, and the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) affirmed thatthe neighbour should not be annoyed by swearing three times and stating that the one who annoys his neighbour is not a believer in the complete sense. So the believer should avoid annoying his neighbour and refrain from doing what Allah and His Messenger have forbidden; he should strive to do that which pleases Him and encourage others to do likewise.
Concerning that Allah, may He beexalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Allah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with thosewho fought not against you on account of religion and did not drive you out of your homes. Verily, Allah loves those who deal with equity”
[al-Mumtahanah 60:8].
In other words, Allah does not forbid you to be kind, uphold ties, return favours and be fair towards the mushrikeen (polytheists),whether they are relatives and others, so long as they are not fighting you because of your religion or seeking to drive you out of your homes. So there is nothing wrong with you upholding ties with them, because upholding ties with them in this case does not involve anything that may lead to negative consequences. It was narrated from ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever kills amu‘aahid (a non-Muslim living under Muslim rule) will not smell the fragrance of Paradise, although its fragrance may be detected from a distance of forty years.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2995. ...