kindness is a significant part of a Muslim’s expression of faith. Islam encourages kindness and compassion towards everyone, regardless of religion, status or colour. Kindness is a pure-white flower that can bloom unexpectedly in the most trying situations. Islam reiterates that all acts of kindness are equivalent to charity. Kindness stems from sincerity and faith, reflecting one’s strong beliefs and values. A person’s every action should be governed by kindness and compassion. Kindness needs not to be massive. It can be as effortless as giving a friendly greeting. 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)
Islam teaches us the importance of being kind to others. From our parents and family to strangers, we are taught that everyone deserves to be treated with respect and compassion. Allah is merciful and compassionate, He wants us to reflect His qualities in our lives. Allah has commanded us to be kind to our fellow human beings, no matter who they are or what they have done. True kindness can never be measured because it doesn’t depend on what you have in your wallet. 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 helps in promoting peace, care, love, and humbleness. Kindness starts with a simple smile, offering compliments or even holding the door for someone. Kindness is a virtue that Allah has taught us to embody. Allah loves kindness and gentleness in all matters, so we should manifest these qualities even when we face abuse and cruelty. We should keep our faith that Allah will reward us who spread kindness.
Here are some of how we can show kindness in our everyday lives:
- Kindness is a mark of faith and external displays of politeness
- Kindness celebrate and provide sincere compliments
- Kindness is a feeling of respect and leading the way
- Kindness makes a humble of patience and empathy
- kindness is a fundamental aspect of our religion
- Kindness is a composition of ethical values
- Kindness is the quality of being generous
- Kindness is infectious in a good sense
- Kindness is a means to show care
- Kindness is also an act of charity
- Kindness is a key part of faith in Islam
- Kindness manifests as a soothing smile
- Kindness built resilient and social stability
- Kindness facilitates human understanding
- kindness act reaffirms the innate goodness
- kindness plants something or sows the seed
- kindness is a value in many cultures and religions
- Kindness practices forgiveness in their interactions
- Kindness is an affectionate deed and generous acts
- Kindness empathy and compassion toward all living beings
Islam teaches us to be kind, not to expect the same from others, and to always keep our deeds private between ourselves and Allah. Kindness and gentleness are qualities Allah has set aside a special reward for. Kindness can take many forms, such as a kind word, a smile, opening a door, or assisting with a heavyweight. We should train ourselves and our children to be kind and gentle in all matters, among the Muslims, and unbelievers. 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-Anam 6:32)
Islam itself has encouraged people to be moral and considerate of others. 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. Small acts of kindness, although they might be trivial in the eyes of people, are an important means for us to be saved from Hellfire and admitted into Paradise.
There are multiple verses in the Quran where Allah preaches to us to show Kindness:
- “And speak kindly to people.” (Quran 2:83)
- “Allah enjoins justice and kindness….” (An-Nahl: 90)
- “Do good, for God loves those who do good.” (Quran 2:195)
- “Verily, Allah loves those who deal with equity.” (Quran 60:8)
- “Verily, Allah is kind and merciful to the people.” (Quran 2:143)
- “Is the reward of fairness aught save fairness?” (Ar-Rahman: 60)
- “kind to his parents, not domineering or rebellious.” (Quran 9:14)
- “The reward of goodness is nothing but goodness.” (Quran 55:61)
Islam encourages kindness and compassion towards everyone, regardless of religion, status or colour. Kindness is a pearl of the heart; without it, the heart is just an empty shell. Kindness is considered one of a good character’s most adored and idolized qualities. Kindness is one of the good deeds we can do to achieve Allah’s paradise and become the dweller of it forever.
The Importance of Kindness in Islam and its Essence:
- Allah has reserved a special reward for those who are kind and gentle
- kindness promotes happiness and positive emotions in an individual
- Kindness is a natural result of faith and the virtues of humanity
- kindness is the seeds we plant to change the world
- Kindness and gentleness are inherently good traits
- Islam enjoins kindness towards all individuals
- Kindness is an attribute that Allah encourages
- Our prophets always told us the benefits of kindness
- Kind words sweet to the soul and healthy for the body
- Kindness facilitates human understanding and reduces conflict
- Kindness induces satisfaction and creates a social environment
- Kindness also reduces mental health issues like anxiety and depression
As a virtue, the principle of kindness rejects conditions such as hypocrisy, feelings of superiority and any form of narcissistic behaviour. Humanity’s survival depends on human kindness as such an act encourages altruism and benevolence. In a hadith narrated by Muslims, Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) also said that “Kindness is a mark of faith, and whoever is not kind has no faith”. Allah says:
قَوۡل مَّعۡرُوفوَمَغۡفِرَةٌ خَیۡرمِّن صَدَقَةیَتۡبَعُهَا أَذى وَٱللَّهُ غَنِیٌّ حَلِیم
“To speak a kind word and to forgive people’s faults is better than charity followed by hurt. Allah is All-Sufficient, All-Forbearing.” (Surah Al-Baqarah2:263)
We need to spread the message of kindness through our words or actions. When we act through a simple and kind gesture towards others and it impacts them significantly, we will see the ripple effect of other kind gestures onto others. Kindness and gentleness are inherently good traits, and whoever has them has been given his portion of goodness. Allah has reserved a special reward for those who are kind and gentle.
