Our sublime book, the Qur’an, introduces Allah to us with the attributes of ar-Rahman (the Most Merciful) and ar-Rahim (the Most Compassionate). Mercy, derived from the same root as these two attributes, is among the foremost of the emotions that Allah bestows upon His creation as a manifestation of His mercy. In this sense, mercy signifies being sensitive to every living being and adopting a merciful approach in all interactions with the world.
The mercy of Allah, which is a reflection of His name ar-Rahman, can essentially be described as the feeling of compassion towards someone or something, a deep sorrow felt for their plight. This definition also encompasses showing concern for the troubles and difficulties of others without discrimination, feeling pity for their plight, empathizing with their situation, and feeling sorrow alongside them. However, limiting mercy to just this sense would be an incomplete approach, as this profound emotion also has an action-oriented dimension alongside its inner (spiritual) aspect. In this context, true mercy, as understood through the universal moral principles of Islam, is not just an abstract feeling of pity but a concept that also concerns attitudes and behaviors that manifest in the service of others’ wellbeing. Indeed, because Islam aims to spread goodness and virtuous character on earth, it commands approaching all living beings with love, treating them with compassion, and helping them through these feelings, thus guiding people toward active altruism and, in a way, transforming mercy into action.
In Islam, mercy has a comprehensive nature and does not harbor any discrimination based on religion, language, race, species, or similar distinctions. Indeed, addressing the inequalities among people and establishing social justice can only be achieved through an all-encompassing understanding of mercy. Allah, the one Who grants mercy, treats all His servants and all creatures with compassion, without any distinction. He is the most merciful of the merciful. The fact that Allah has sent prophets to humanity and revealed books to distinguish between right and wrong is a manifestation of His mercy towards all of His creation. The rewards that believers earn for their deeds are a result of Allah’s mercy and compassion. Similarly, the rewards for those who remain patient in the face of life’s difficulties are also the result of Allah’s mercy and compassion. Allah is the owner of infinite mercy, and as stated in the Qur’an, His mercy encompasses everything (A’raf, 7:156). Both believers and non-believers share in His mercy.
Allah the Almighty endowed the Prophet Muhammad with noble qualities such as compassion and mercy, and He commands the believers to follow His example by adorning their lives with these virtues and advising one another to practice patience, compassion, and mercy (Balad, 90:17). Indeed, one of the most notable attributes of the Prophet Muhammad, who was sent as a mercy to the worlds (Anbiya, 21:107), is that he was a prophet of mercy and compassion (Tawbah, 9:128). The Prophet said, “Allah shows mercy only to those of His servants who are merciful” (Bukhari, Marda, 9), and despite the harm he received from others, he always responded with mercy. He also said, “Show mercy to those on the earth, and you will be shown mercy by Allah“ (Abu Dawud, Adab, 58), emphasizing the expansive and encompassing nature of mercy. The trust people had in him and their coming together around him were also a result of his deep sense of compassion (Al-i ‘Imran, 3:159).
Allah the Almighty has clearly stated the attitude that should be exhibited by the believers, regardless of circumstances, in His verse: “(They are) those who donate in prosperity and adversity, control their anger, and pardon others. And Allah loves the gooddoers.” (Al-i ‘Imran, 3:134) This verse calls for approaching everyone with love and compassion, regardless of lineage, wealth, or social status, protecting and caring for the poor and the orphaned, and striving to develop a morality of mercy and love in society.
Today, one of the gravest challenges humanity faces is its indifference to compassion, which nurtures the heart and gives life to the soul, its distance from goodness, and its yearning for love. The root cause of the violence, the bouts of rage and ambitions that overshadow the modern world, is this very detachment. Sadly, the world has become a place where injustice and inequality are widespread, and issues such as poverty, migration, and discrimination increasingly dominate life. Humanity is now confronted with a profound moral and civilizational crisis. This is why the world is witnessing atrocities, massacres, and genocides that are unprecedented in history. The recent human tragedies, particularly in Palestine and other oppressed regions, starkly illustrate how far the world has strayed from mercy and reflect the dark, barren climate through which humanity is passing.
Undoubtedly, this drought that scorches consciences and this darkness that stifles souls can only be alleviated by bringing the mercy-laden messages of our sublime religion, Islam, to prominence in life. An actionable awareness of compassion will reshape the world. The responsibility of striving to achieve this ideal and building a world grounded in justice and mercy centered on the truths of divine revelation rests on the shoulders of Muslims. In this regard, the first step is to strengthen the sense of compassion within our own lives, placing it at the heart of our existence. Thereafter, we must carry the mercy-filled messages of our faith, the ideals of the goodness of our civilization, and the noble legacy of our forebears into the present and the future with a sense of entrusted duty. Only then, every cycle of violence that wounds humanity and every vortex of hatred will be replaced by an atmosphere of peace.
