Islam is a religion of mercy and peace. The wonderful religion of Islam is based almost exclusively on two primary sources. Firstly, the most awe-inspiring and motivational figure of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and secondly the astonishingly eloquent and the glorious Quran. Together, these two sources provide copious guidance, wisdom and powerful means of development as well as the perfection of human life. Allah says:

ثُمَّ كَانَ مِنَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْمَرْحَمَةِ

“Then he was among those who had faith and advised one another to patience and advised one another to mercy.” (Surah Al-Balad 90:17)

Allah intends for the mercy of Islam to touch every person on earth. It is not as some have claimed, that Islam is only merciful to Muslims. Rather, Islam teaches us to be a mercy to the entire world and everyone in it. If you are loyal to Muhammad then we are yours! Allah says:

وَالْمَلَائِكَةُيُسَبِّحُونَبِحَمْدِرَبِّهِمْوَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَلِمَنفِيالْأَرْضِۗأَلَاإِنَّاللَّهَهُوَالْغَفُورُالرَّحِيمُ

“The angels glorify and praise their Lord and seek forgiveness for those on the earth. Verily, Allah is the Forgiving, the Merciful.” (Surah Ash-Shura 42:5)

God has blessed the Prophet (PBUH) with many excellent qualities; undoubtedly those qualities portray the perfection of his character, the flawlessness of his disposition and the excellence of his personality as well as the high esteem in which our Maker holds him.  Allah says:

إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَ أَخَوَيْكُمْ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ

“Only the believers (are) brothers, so make peace between your brothers, you consciously revere (Allah) and fear Allah so that you may receive mercy.” (Surah Al-Hujurat 49:10)

Islam teaches us to be merciful to the entire creation, to Muslims and non-Muslims, to friends and enemies and even to the animals. Mercy (raḥmah) in Islam has a very wide meaning that includes kindness, compassion, love, tolerance, patience with people, and treating others the way we would love to be treated. Allah says:

يَهْدِي بِهِ اللَّهُ مَنِ اتَّبَعَ رِضْوَانَهُ سُبُلَ السَّلَامِ وَيُخْرِجُهُم مِّنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ بِإِذْنِهِ وَيَهْدِيهِمْ إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ

“Guides with it Allah (those) who seek His pleasure (to the) ways (of) the peace, and brings them out from the darkness to the light by His permission, and guides them to (the) straightway.” (Surah Al-Ma`idah 5:16)

This Islamic value is at the core of the prophetic message and meaning of faith, just as it was in all of the revealed religions before Islam. Every Muslim needs to strive to be an agent of mercy on earth for all human beings and creatures.

Allah tells us that the Quran was sent to us as guidance, a blessing, mercy, and healing. It also shows us what is good for us:

1. Mercy sceptre shows the force of temporal power
2. Mercy treasure to lay up than any store of gold
3. Mercy regaining our lost graces of sanctity
4. Mercy is enthronèd in the hearts of kings
5. Mercy always saves our soul from evils
6. Mercy is the dread and fear of kings
7. Mercy is above the sceptred sway
8. Mercy is an attribute to God himself
9. Mercy develops seasons of justice
10. Mercy obtains for us graces and light
11. Mercy also brings an immortal reward
12. Mercy both temporal and eternal goods
13. Mercy practice in  the Holy Scripture assures
14. Turn daily life habits into moments of reflection
15. Every time you cry for this world, remember Allah

The Quran is described as containing advice and guidance on every single subject that affects human life as well as being a complete remedial cure for all the diseases of the heart and limitless source of mercy for all mankind.“Mercy for Mankind” represents the love of God for all people alike, deserving and undeserving, the righteous and the wicked, the pious and the sinful, the moral and the depraved, the saintly and the dissolute.

Allah Almighty says in The Holy Quran:

• “We only sent you as a mercy to all the worlds.” (Surah Al-Anbiya` 21:107)
• “And verily, thy Lord is He, the Exalted in Might, Most Merciful.” (Surah Ash-Shura, 9)
• “A part of My servants there was, who used to pray ‘our Lord! we believe; then do Thou forgive us, and have mercy upon us: For Thou art the Best of those who show mercy!” (Surah Al-Muminun, 109)
• “And (remember) Job, when He cried to his Lord, “Truly distress has seized me, but Thou art the Most Merciful of those that are merciful.” (Surah Al-Anbiya, 83)
• So say: “O my Lord! grant Thou forgiveness and mercy for Thou art the Best of those who show mercy!” (Surah Al-Muminun, 118)
• “He punishes whom He pleases, and He grants Mercy to whom He pleases, and towards Him are ye turned.” (Surah Al-Ankabut, 21)
• “And we have not sent you, [O Muhammad] except as a mercy for the entire humanity.” (Al Anbiya: 107)

The beautiful and the perfect religion of Islam has become a tragic byword for everything that is ludicrous, nonsensical and comical, not to mention barbaric and intolerant. This is all because of how we, its “special recipients”, portray and depict it for the entire world to see. Allah says:

قُل لَّوْ كَانَ فِي الْأَرْضِ مَلَائِكَةٌ يَمْشُونَ مُطْمَئِنِّينَ لَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ مَلَكًا رَّسُولًا

Say, “If (there) were in the earth angels walking securely, surely We (would) have sent do to them from the heaven an Angel (as) a Messenger.” (Surah Al-Isra` 17:95)

Allah orders people to avoid committing bad deeds and prohibits them from unbelief, sins, rebellion, oppression, tyranny, killing and shedding blood. Those who do not obey this order of Allah are defined as those who follow the footsteps of Satan as the verse puts it; they openly assume an attitude that Allah has rendered haram.

Pictures of Love from the Life of the Prophet

1. Love of Allah
2. Love of Friends
3. Love of Ummah
4. Love of humans
5. Love of Children
6. Love of his Family and Relatives
7. His love of other living beings

فَاصْفَحْ عَنْهُمْ وَقُلْ سَلَامٌ فَسَوْفَ يَعْلَمُونَ

“So turn away from them and say, “Peace.” But soon they will know.” (Surah Az-Zukhruf 43:89)

Thus, we must do our best to be merciful to the entire creation, to the Muslims and non-Muslims, to our families and relatives, to friends and strangers, to people and animals, and even to our most bitter enemies. God will only favour us as ‘His chosen people if and only if we abide by His religious tenets wholeheartedly, properly and completely.