Kindness towards Allah's Creation

Dr Shaykh Ruhul Amin

When those who believe in our verses Come to you, say: "Peace be on you." Your Lord has written mercy for Himself, so that if any of you does evil in Ignorance and thereafter repents and does righteous good deeds, then surely, He is oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. (Al Quran, chapter 6- verse 54)

The most basic element in the value system of Islam is the principle of equality- meaning that in the sight of Allah all men are equal although not identical. These differences are of abilities, potentials, wealth, colour, caste, creed and faith.

However, these differences can not establish a status of superiority of one man or race over another. The only distinction is piety. The only criterion is the criterion of goodness, spiritual excellence, honour, love and affection for humanity.

The foundation of equality, love and kindness are deeply rooted in the structures of Islam. It stems from basic principles such as:

1. All men are created by one Allah, The Supreme Lord of all
2. All mankind belong to the human race and share equally in the common parentage of Adam and Eve
3. Allah is just and kind to all his creatures. He is not partial to any one race or religion
4. All people are born equal in the sense that none brings any possession with him and they die equal in the sense that they take back nothing of their worldly belongings
5. Allah judges every person on the basis of his own merits and deeds
6. Allah has conferred on mankind a title of honour and dignity.

If this concept is fully realised, utilised and implemented, then there will be no room for prejudice, persecution, oppression or suppression. Concepts of chosen and gentile, privileged and condemned races, social castes and second class citizens will all become meaningless. The people will exercise, love, kindness, mercy, feelings for each other and will share with each other.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was sent as a prophet, guide, teacher, and mercy for all of the creation. He was very kind to all. Islam emphasises kindness and tenderness in all cases even to other creatures, such as animals, plants etc... He said: when you slaughter any animal, be kind and use a sharp knife. Don't sharpen your knife in front of animals; otherwise you will kill the animal 2 times (once by frightening the animal by sharpening the knife in front of it) and then slaughtering it. (Abu Daud. Hadith no 2432/ Ibn Majah Hadith no 3163)

The broad based concept of kindness in Islam encompasses taking due care in the preservation of natural habitats and the environment around us and the wider world. Allah, being the Most Merciful, the Gracious, the loving and the Forgiving, renews the earth after it is 'dead' (after it dries up) and brings out of it (after the rains), the growing things which constitute food for men and beasts of the entire world. His wide range of mercy and kindness expand to the whole of creation. He saves the environment by means of rain from the sky and nourishment within the ground. It is therefore, the duty of human beings to honour, save and protect the natural beauty of the God – created environment from all kind of pollutions and destruction and use its resources carefully according to desperate needs and necessity.

Life according to Islam is the relationship between human beings and the whole creation both as a concept and in practice. This stems from divine guidance and follows the Godly pattern. It is laid down on the following foundations:

1. An unshakeable belief in the unity of mankind in origin, in human status and in aims & objectives
2. Due respect for other peoples interest and rights to life, honour, property and peace as the normal course of relations.
3. The law of war and peace in Islam is highly moral, unique, comprehensive and sound. Islam neither justifies an aggressive war, nor allows destruction of crops, animals or homes. It neither allows killing of non- fighting women, children and the aged people, nor does it tolerate the torture of war prisoners. It is only a defensive measure justified by the practical principles of Islam, as long as wrong, injustice and aggression exists in any part of the globe.

Maintenance of internal peace security and genuine contribution to human understanding and mutual respect, honour and universal brotherhood should be practiced on every level of life, nationally and internationally.

It is an absolute fact from Islamic point of view that Allah himself is the most Merciful and Kind and He attracted human beings to his universal mercy and kindness by declaring himself as Al Rahman and Al Raheem. (The Most Merciful & The Most Kind).

It is mentioned in prophetic traditions that "Allah divided his mercy into one hundred parts and he created the whole creation through one part of the hundred due to which a mother deals with her children with kindness and mercy". Allah s.w.t preserved the remaining ninety nine parts of his mercy for the day of judgement. (Jamius Saghir min Hadithi Bashirin Nazir, Hadith no. 1640)

It is Allah who, out of His mercy and philanthropist principle, sent messengers, prophets, books, booklets for human guidance throughout the history of mankind. He sent the last and the seal of the prophets, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as "Mercy to the worlds". (Al Quran, 21:107)

Not only that which has been mentioned above, Allah has mentioned in the Holy Quran in many places and verses that He has decreed for His Majesty "the notion of Mercy" as inseparable from Him, as absolute attributes. It is therefore concluded that in order to invite divine mercy one has to show, practice or contribute in the field of mercy and generosity towards his common creatures, irrespective of gender or nationality.

As Allah said in the Holy Quran:

"When those who believe in our verses come to you, say: "Peace be on you." Your Lord has written mercy for Himself, so that if any of you does evil in ignorance and thereafter repents and does righteous good deeds , then surely, He is oft-forgiving, Most Merciful."(Al Quran, 6:54)

May Allah s.w.t. give us all the ability to follow the teachings of the Holy Quran and the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)

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