Islam, Religion of Compassion

By: Ali Farkhan Tsani, Scholar of Al-Fatah Islamic School Indonesia

Islam is a religion that teaches compassion amongst human beings. Islam also teaches friendship, brotherhood, and peace through all mankind on earth.

In the Qur’an, the Holy Book of Moslems, it is mentioned:

 وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَـكَ إِلاَّ رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَـلَمِينَ

Means: “And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.” (Al-Anbiya’ [21]: 107)

In this verse, God sent Muhammad Shallallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam [peace be upon him] which brings love and compassion to the world. Then, whoever receive this grace, he will be happy in this world and the hereafter.

As mentioned in other verse in the Qur’an:

 أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ بَدَّلُواْ نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ كُفْرًا وَأَحَلُّواْ قَوْمَهُمْ دَارَ الْبَوَارِ – جَهَنَّمَ يَصْلَوْنَهَا وَبِئْسَ الْقَرَارُ

Means : “Have you considered those who exchanged the favor of Allah (His commands and teachings) for disbelief and settled their people [in] the home of ruin? [it is] Hell, which they will [enter to] burn, and wretched is the settlement;” (Ibrahim [14]: 28-29).

As mentioned in other verse in the Qur’an:

 ….قُلْ هُوَ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ هُدًى وَشِفَآءٌ وَالَّذِينَ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ فِى ءَاذَانِهِمْ وَقْرٌ وَهُوَ عَلَيْهِمْ عَمًى أُوْلَـئِكَ يُنَادَوْنَ مِن مَّكَانٍ بَعِيدٍ

“…Say unto them (O Muhammad): For those who believe Qur’an is a guidance and a healing; and as for those who disbelieve, there is a deafness in their ears, and it is blindness for them. Such are called to from afar.” (Fushshilat : 44).

Even, in the book of hadeeth narated by Muslim, the Prophet’ shahabah or friend, Abu Hurairah, ever ask Prophet Muhammad Shallallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam (peace be upon him), “O God Messenger, pray for us to curse those who associate God.”

Phrophet Muhammad Shallallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam [pbuh] replied

 إِنِّي لَمْ أُبْعَثْ لَعَّانًا، وَإِنَّمَا بُعِثْتُ رَحْمَة

Means : “I am not sent to curse, but to bring peace and compassion.” With this explanation, it is clear that Islam does teach compassion for human beings. It is not teach violence, murder and acts of terrorism that can compromise the security to the neighborhood. (RS-2/RS05)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)