In Islam, kindness is a very important part of a Muslim’s expression of faith. This highly praised manner solves all matters and affairs, corrects all errors, adjusts our conduct, and guides us to excellent morals and virtues in a better way. Kindness facilitates human understanding and reduces the chances of friction and conflict, which abound in practically every walk of life. Islam enjoins kindness towards all individuals, but more so towards certain categories, such as parents and orphans. Allah says:

لَقَدْ جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيْهِ مَا عَنِتُّمْ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيْكُم بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ

“There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer, for he is concerned over you and to the believers he is kind and merciful.” (Surah At-Tawbah 9:128)

Allah loves kindness and gentleness in all matters, so we should manifest these qualities even when we face abuse and cruelty. Islam has insisted to render services for orphans. They are not in a position to make their living as they have lost their guardians. kindness and gentleness should be shown to the animals and indeed all of creation. Islam teaches Muslims to be kind to all of God’s creations, including their parents, relatives, neighbours, animals and the environment.  Allah says:

فَوَيْلٌ لِّلْمُصَلِّينَ الَّذِينَ هُمْ عَن صَلَاتِهِمْ سَاهُونَ الَّذِينَ هُمْ يُرَاءُونَ وَيَمْنَعُونَ الْمَاعُونَ

“Woe to those who pray, who are heedless of their prayer, who pray to be seen and withhold small acts of kindness.” (Surah Al-Maun 107:4-7)

Needy people are mentally depressed, emotionally oppressed and physically suppressed. They are in a state of not being able to fulfil their basic needs or they do not possess enough materials to continue their living. So it is a must to treat them kindly and provide them with all we could. As human beings, we need to act kindly to achieve a better life. Islam itself has taught humans to be righteous and kind to others.

Here are some reasons why we need kindness in our lives:

1. Kindness means giving gallantly, warding off evil
2. Kindness makes you easier to have self-control
3. Kindness is an outstanding virtue of humanity
4. Kindness is bestowing favour, mercifulness
5. Kind words sweet to the soul and health
6. Kindness is the moment of reflection
7. Kindness and love of God our Savior 
8. Kindness forbids us into the Hellfire
9. Kind words are like honey
10. Kind acts affect us
11. Kindness is freedom of thought
12. Kindness leads us to repentance
13. Kindness is a real pleasure in itself
14. Kind words can change the entire life
15. Kindness poured through the Holy Spirit
16. Kindness compels us to love one another
17. Kindness desires regards of all His creatures
18. Kindness is excellence in work, charity affairs
19. Kindness is the depth the accuracy in our deeds
20. Kind words sweet to the soul and healthy for the body

Once you realize that this life is only an exam for you to pass it well,  you will realize that you need to do good things. The realization is something important to achieve because when we already realize that, we will wholeheartedly have kindness upon us. Allah says:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ بِالنَّاسِ لَرَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ

“Verily, Allah is kind and merciful to the people.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:143)

Our prophets always told us the benefits of kindness. Getting healthier is also one of the benefits of kindness in Islam. The research discovered that the act of kindness can make us healthier since the emotional warmth that we get can lower our blood pressure. Allah says:

وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ أُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ الْجَنَّةِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ
“And those who believe and do good deeds, they are dwellers of Paradise, they dwell therein forever.” (Surat Al-Baqarah, 2:82)

No matter even if it is a futile thing, be thankful for what they have done. That is the best attitude a man can have. We are closer to them until our work is done and when it is over, we forget about them. Be thankful. If you aren’t thankful, you are not a kind person as you do not know the value of human beings. We should train ourselves and our children to be kind and gentle in all matters, among the Muslims, among unbelievers, and even with the animals.

Allah Almighty says in The Holy Quran:

• “Who can be better in religion than one who submits his whole self to Allah, does good, and follows the way of Abraham the true in Faith? Allah did take Abraham for a friend.” (Surah An-Nisa, 125)
• “And spend of your substance in the cause of Allah, and make not your own hands contribute to (your) destruction, but do good; for Allah loveth those who do good.” (Al-Baqara – 2:195)
• “The well-to-do and the rich among you should not fail to give to relatives, the destitute, and Emigrants for the cause of God. Be considerate and forgiving. Do you not want God to forgive you? God is All-forgiving and All-merciful.” (Quran 24:22)
• “And Allah gave them a reward in this world and the excellent reward of the Hereafter. For Allah Loveth those who do good.” (Surah Al-Imran, 148)
• “God does not forbid you from being good to those who have not fought you in the religion or driven you from your homes, or from being just towards them. God loves those who are just.” (Surat al-Mumtahana, 8)

They expect exactness that can never be achieved. This will gradually fade away from your good attitudes. Soon you will not understand what kindness meant to be. So avoid shouting at people, talk to them politely and try to understand them if something goes wrong. Practice this for sometimes and you will feel how rays of kindness penetrate in your mind. Allah says:

وَوَصَّيْنَا الْإِنسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ حُسْنًا وَإِن جَاهَدَاكَ لِتُشْرِكَ بِي مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ فَلَا تُطِعْهُمَا إِلَيَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

“And We have enjoined (on) man goodness to his parents, but if they both strive against you to make you associate with Me what not you have of it any knowledge, then (do) not obey both of them. To Me (is) your return, and I will inform you about what you used (to) do.” (Surah Al-`Ankabut 29:8)

As human beings, we need to act kindly to achieve a better life. Islam itself has taught humans to be righteous and kind to others.  All in all, the most important thing is our soul. If we haven’t properly maintained our soul, then there may be no way to paradise. If we have kept it well maintained, then we will be the successful ones in this world and the hereafter. So it is important to be kind to our souls by purifying them constantly with dhikr, istighfar and salah. Allah says:

الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ فِي السَّرَّاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ وَالْكَاظِمِينَ الْغَيْظَ وَالْعَافِينَ عَنِ النَّاسِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

“The believers are those who spend in charity during ease and hardship and who restrain their anger and pardon the people, for Allah loves the doers of good.” (Surah Ali Imran 3:134)

We are to be kind to our enemies. It is so easy to be kind to someone who likes you. Many of you don’t know how a moment of kindness can change someone’s life. People cherish kindness when you go the extra mile. Kindness gives people hope. Many people are nice, but they don’t get dirty. When your actions show evidence of a heart that truly cares people take notice. Allah says:

خُذِ الْعَفْوَ وَأْمُرْ بِالْعُرْفِ وَأَعْرِضْ عَنِ الْجَاهِلِينَ

“Hold (to) forgiveness and enjoin the good, and turn away from the ignorant.” (Surah Al-A`raf 7:199)

When we do kindness, we will have a glimpse of a moment to think and reflect on our deeds while we do good to others. Reflection makes us do better and better good things as possible. May Allah the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful give us opportunities to do many ways of acts of kindness for His pleasure and reward our best life, especially in the Hereafter.