Islam the religion of mercy

The Prophetonce kissed Al-Hasan bin 'Aliwhile Al-Aqra' bin Haabis was
in his presence. So Al-Aqra'said to him: "You kiss your children. I
swear by Allaah, I have ten children and I never kissed any one of
them!" So the Prophetsaid:"He who does not show mercy )to others( will
not be shown mercy )by Allaah(."
Verily, in Islam, mercy encompasses this world and the Hereafter, as
well as humankind, animals, birds and the surrounding habitats. Allaah
Says)what means(:"And My mercy encompasses every thing."]Quran7:156[
Allaah has ascribed Mercy to Himself and He has also describedHis
Prophets, may Allaah exalt their mention, and righteous servants as
being endowed with it. Allaah Says )what means(:"Muhammad is the
Messenger of Allaah and those who are with him are severe against the
disbelievers and merciful to one another."]Quran 48:29[
Allaah has made his sending forth of the Prophetas a mercy to all of
creation, as He Says )what means(:"And We havenot sent you )O
Muhammad( except as a mercy to the worlds."]Quran 21:107[ The
word"worlds" )'Aalameen( is general and includes the world of the
humans, the world of the Jinn, the world of the animals, the world of
the birds, as well as the nations found on land and in the sea.
Allaah has commanded that mercy be applied to every thing and in every
action. Thus, even when you slaughter a sacrificial animal, you show
mercy to it by saying 'Bismillaah' )In the name of Allaah( and by
sharpening yourknife )so that it will be a quick and painless death(.
The Prophetsaid:"Verily Allaah has prescribed Ihsaan )goodness( for
everything. So when you slaughter, then slaughter in a good manner,
and when you kill)in war(, then kill in a good manner. And let each of
you sharpen his blade and let him spare the animal he slaughters from
suffering."
It is reported that Allaah forgave a prostitute from the children
ofIsraelwho showed mercy to a dog that was dying from thirst. She
filled her shoe with water and then taking hold of the dog'smouth, she
gave it the water to drink. Allaah appreciated what she did and
forgave her sins.
Once our Prophetsaw that one of his Companions, may Allaah be pleased
with him, grabbed the chick of a lark, and itbegan screeching over the
heads of the Companions. So hesaid:"Who bereaved this )lark( of her
child? Return her children back to her!"
The more weak and poor a human being is, the more we are required to
show mercy to him and be gentle with him. This is why our Lord has
forbidden us from oppressing the orphan. Allaah Says )what
means(:"Therefore, treat not the orphan with oppression. And do not
repel the beggar."]Quran 93: 9-10[
The Prophetsaid:"The personthat looks after and supports the widow and
the needy one is like the Mujaahid )one who makes Jihaad( in the Cause
of Allaah." Hewould rub the head of the orphans and say:"I and the
guardian of an orphan will be likethis inParadise- and he gestured
with his index and middle finger."
Indeed the Prophetcommanded us to take care of the children, women and
the elders. Thus, in his last words to his Companionsand his nation
hesaid:"The prayer and what your right hands possess." "Take good care
of the women )i.e. wives(."And he said:"The best of you is the best to
his wives. And I am the best amongst you with my wives."
Mercy is something innate, whichAllaah has placed into the hearts of
His creatures, even the lions -- the most ferocious of beasts -- are
merciful to their children. Yet Allaah is more merciful to His
creation than a mother is to her child. It is reported that on the day
that Allaah created mercy, He created one hundred parts to it. He left
ninety-nine parts with Him, by which He will show mercy to His
servants on the Day of Judgment and sent down one single part of mercy
to earth, which humans and animals shareamongst themselves.
The Messenger of Allaahhas condemned the person that is void of any
mercy, and he condemned the one who breaks family ties. Hesaid:
"Kinship is connected to the Throne)'Arsh(. It says:'Whoever severs
me, then Allaah will break )away from( him. And whoever maintains me,
then Allaah will keep connected to him."
In another narration hesaid:"Verily, the kinship will be connected to
the Throne of the Most Merciful on the Day of Judgment. It will say:
'This is the place for the one who sought refuge in You from the
severing)of family ties(.' So Allaah will say to it: 'Will it please
you that I connect those who maintained you and that I cut off those
who severed you?' And it will say: 'I will be pleased )with that(, my
Lord.'"
The Prophetcondemned the oppressive leaders who do not show mercy to
their people, by saying: "The worst leaders are al-Hutamah."
Allaah has named Himself Ar-Rahmaan and Ar-Raheem, so he is the Most
Merciful of this world and the Hereafter )i.e. Ar-Rahmaan( and The
Bestower and giver of mercy )i.e. Ar-Raheem(. This is why He has
commanded it in every place and in every situation. A Muslim begins
his action by saying 'Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem' )in the name of
Allaah, Most Merciful, the Giver of Mercy( so that Allaah can bless
him in his action. Every action that is void ofmercy has no blessing
in it, nor any good. If the servants of Allaah show mercy towards one
another, this is a cause for Allaah sending His mercy down on them.
The Prophetsaid:"The Most Merciful shows mercy to those who have mercy
on others. Show mercy to those on earth, and the One above the heaven
will show mercy to you."
O Allaah, have mercy on us above the earth and below the earth and on
the Day when our deeds will be presented to us. And cause us to be
merciful to one another just as the Companions of Your Prophetwere.
And have mercy on our dead ones andput those who have mercy from
amongst Your servants in charge over us, O Most Merciful!