The Significance of Compassion in Islam: Strengthening the Heart

 

Walking along the roadsides, seeing homeless poor children, old people on the footpaths. I know you feel more compassion for them and most of us say;

When I will be a rich or I will have a good income, I will help these people. Some more determined will say; I will eradicate this poverty and distress from the world. Some of us do prayer to Allah on that scene, that may Allah make them able to help these poor people or may Allah help these poor people. All these thoughts and actions are really good. ALHAMDULILLAH

But being students or jobholders and having a lot of thoughts in our mind or due to busy routine or schedule we never try to show compassion to these poor people that we all can do.

When small poor children see the hostility or cold-heartedness around them, they evolve and grow the same as they observe in their environment and this is how we are developing our society.

Showing compassion is the most fundamental teaching of Islam. The first Kalmah that, we say to read the Quran or to start anything; is بِسْمِ ٱللّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ‎  (bi-semi llāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīmi),  here we praise Allah by calling Him the most Merciful and Compassionate. Then the very first chapter of the Holy Quran contains 2^nd verse (ٱلرَّحْمٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ); that is again praising Allah Almighty by calling Him Compassionate.

Our Prophet Muhammad has the title of Rahmatal-lil-Aalamin. The repetition of verses in the Holy Quran, having the word “reham" shows the importance of compassion. The Prophet (P.B.U.H) set a wonderful example of compassion and was the personification of this virtue.

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said:

“I commenced the prayer, and I intended to make it long, but I heard a child crying, so I cut my prayer short because of the distress I knew his mother would be feeling.

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) kissed the children, took the orphan boy to His home and one day a Bedouin came to the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) and asked: 

"Do you kiss your sons?"

"I have ten children and I have never kissed any of them."

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) looked at him and said:

“The one who does not show compassion will not be shown mercy.”

(Bukhari and Muslim)

 

This is how our prophet nurtured the hearts to develop more compassion in society. We all are living our lives depending on one another. If we will not be kind to each other, and to our environment, we may lose all the beauty of this life and most importantly the beauty of emotions or kindness. Try to show compassion to everyone, it will start controlling your anger and will make you happy in return.

Showing compassion is important and easy, let's show compassion to anyone, by just giving a cold-water bottle in this hot summer season. The person could be anyone, rich, poor, male or female. When you will do this, people may start developing the courage to show compassion to others as well. Let's try to nurture the heart. Let's try to make a bond of kindness, love, and respect.

“It is not the compassion of any one of you towards his friend, but it is compassion towards all people and compassion towards the common folk.” Reported by al-Tabarani; its men are rijal al-sahih.

Additionally, when compassion is practiced collectively, it has a contagious impact that leads to a more compassionate and peaceful society, where empathy and caring serve as the cornerstones of social cohesiveness and general well-being. In the end, adopting compassion as a way of life has transformative effects on both individuals and society as a whole.