kindness helps in promoting peace, care, love, and humbleness. 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. We should keep our faith that Allah will reward us who spread kindness with kindness. Displaying acts of kindness is a fundamental aspect of our religion. Islam encourages kindness and compassion towards everyone, no matter, one’s religion, status or colour. Allah says:
وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَشْرِي نَفْسَهُ ابْتِغَاءَ مَرْضَاتِ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ رَءُوفٌ بِالْعِبَادِ
“And of the people (is the one) who sells his self-seeking pleasure (of) Allah. And Allah (is) full of Kindness to His servants.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:207)
Kindness is a pearl of the heart; without it, the heart is just an empty shell. Kindness is considered one of the most adored and idolized qualities of a good character. Spreading kindness in our lives is what Allah obligates us to do. When we follow the path of Islam, by having so much indulgence to do kindness, we will surely be in the path of Allah, and He will guide us till the end. Allah says:
وَلَا تُفْسِدُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ بَعْدَ إِصْلَاحِهَا وَادْعُوهُ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا إِنَّ رَحْمَتَ اللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ مِّنَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ
“Do no mischief on the earth, after it hath been set in order, but call on Him with fear and longing (in your hearts): for the Mercy of Allah is (always) near to those who do good.” (Surah Al-Araf, 7:56)
kindness, care, and affection are some characteristics which were constantly flowing in the ocean of our Prophet’s (SAW) existence. Therefore every Muslim is preached to be kind, humble, and gentle to fellow human beings as well as animals and other living creatures. We have defined and elaborated kindness in the light of Islamic hadiths and quotes to clarify the point. Read on to find out more.
Here are some reasons why we need kindness in our lives:
- kindness helps in promoting peace, care and love
- Kindness makes you easier to have self-control
- kindness plants something or sows the seed
- kindness is a language that a blind can see
- kindness reduces anxiety and depression
- kindness reduces mental health issues
- Kindness forbids us into the Hellfire
- Kindness makes a positive Dua
- Kindness defuse our tension
- Kindness marks one’s Faith
- Kindness is a pearl of the heart
- Kindness is the moment of reflection
- kindness helps in promoting humbleness
- Kindness induces satisfaction and gratitude
- kindness is also considered an act of charity
- Kindness creates a friendly social environment
- kindness is a value in many cultures and religions
- kindness is a part of a Muslim’s expression of faith
- kindness a pleasant disposition, and concern for others
- Kindness is a behaviour marked by ethical characteristics
kindness promotes happiness and positive emotions in an individual. Kindness induces satisfaction and gratitude and creates a friendly social environment. It also reduces mental health issues like anxiety and depression as well as physical problems like cardiovascular diseases and several other diseases. Believe it, Allah concerns for us because he is kind and merciful. By knowing about that, we as his believers should reflect his kindness by spreading goodness among us. Allah says:
إِنَّهُمْ يَكِيدُونَ كَيْدًا وَأَكِيدُ كَيْدًا فَمَهِّلِ الْكَافِرِينَ أَمْهِلْهُمْ رُوَيْدًا
“Verily, they are planning a plan and I am planning a plan. So give respite to the unbelievers, deal gently with them for a while.” (Surah At-Tariq 86:15-17)
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. The law of life is getting what we give. So, when we do good things, we receive good things too. When we do kindness, we will have a glimpse of the moment to think about and reflect on our deeds while we do good to others. Reflection makes us do better and better good things as possible. Allah says:
فَقُولَا لَهُ قَوْلًا لَّيِّنًا لَّعَلَّهُ يَتَذَكَّرُ أَوْ يَخْشَىٰ
“Speak to him mildly that perhaps he may remember or fear Allah.” (Surat Ta Ha 20:44)
Islam teaches us to be kind, not to expect back from others and always keep our deeds between ourselves and Allah. Never do good to expect something in return. Be honest about your inner feelings. kind manners and forgiveness are much better than giving lots in charity.
Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran:
- “Lo! Allah enjoins justice and kindness….” (An-Nahl: 90)
- “Verily, Allah is kind and merciful to the people.” (Quran 2:143)
- “Is the reward of fairness aught save fairness?” (Ar-Rahman: 60)
- “The reward of goodness is nothing but goodness.” (Quran 55:61)
- “… And do fair deeds, for sure Allah loves the fair-doers.” (Al-Baqarah: 195)
- “Peace be upon you because you persevered in patience! Excellent indeed is the final home!” (Ar-Rad 13:24)
- “My Lord! bestow on them thy Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood.” (Surah Al-Isra, 24)
Islam merely focuses on two things, forgiveness and kindness. Allah has predestined the virtuous and respectable conduct of parents and advises us to show good and modest behaviour towards them. There are multiple verses in the Quran where Allah preaches to us to show compassion to our parents and be merciful towards them. Allah says:
فَقُولَا لَهُ قَوْلًا لَّيِّنًا لَّعَلَّهُ يَتَذَكَّرُ أَوْ يَخْشَىٰ
Speak to Pharaoh mildly that perhaps he may be reminded or fear Allah. (Surah Taha 20:44)
Quran has told us to be kind to neighbours whether they are near or strangers. Our prophet also said that we are not a believer if we eat our fill when our neighbour beside is hungry. He also added that we are not believers if we enjoy safety meanwhile our neighbours are not safe from his injurious conduct. Our prophets always told us the benefits of kindness. 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.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:82)
Islam teaches us to be kind, reply humbly and politely, and care for the feelings of others. For everyone who does that, there is a reward in Akhirah. Never do good to expect something in return. Be honest about your inner feelings. Islam teaches us to be kind, not to expect back from others and always keep our deeds between ourselves and Allah. Allah says:
وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ وَلَلدَّارُ الْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لِّلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ
“Nothing is the life of this world but play and amusement, but best is the Home in the Hereafter, for those who are righteous, will you not then understand?” (Surah Al-An`am 6:32)
Therefore, we should train ourselves and our children to be kind and gentle in all matters, among Muslims, among unbelievers, and even with animals. We should resist the temptation to indulge in cruelty and savagery. Times will come when must apply justice to criminals, but we have to remember that the opportunity for repentance will remain and even a great tyrant like Pharaoh should be given his portion of kindness. We ask Allah to beautify our manners with kindness and to protect us from falling into harshness.
