Islam, the way of life for all mankind, has its fundamental teachings of love, compassion, and mercy, regardless of creed, religion, race, or nation. It discourages all forms of hatred against anyone.
The Qur’ān in Surah Hujurat (ayat 13) says:
یٰۤاَیُّہَاالنَّاسُاِنَّاخَلَقۡنٰکُمۡمِّنۡذَکَرٍوَّاُنۡثٰیوَجَعَلۡنٰکُمۡشُعُوۡبًاوَّقَبَآئِلَلِتَعَارَفُوۡا ۚ اِنَّاَکۡرَمَکُمۡعِنۡدَاللّٰہِاَتۡقٰکُمۡ ؕ اِنَّاللّٰہَعَلِیۡمٌخَبِیۡرٌ ﴿۱۳﴾
(O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.)
From this verse, Islam fundamentally believes in the Oneness of the Almighty Creator and the common ancestry of all human existence through Prophet Adam. It further emphasizes that every human life is equally precious, stating, “Whoever saves one life, it is as if he had saved mankind entirely.” (5:32)
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, a man on a mission sent to this world as the Last Messenger from Allah, the Most Merciful, was introduced in SurahAl-Anbiya Ayat 107:
وَمَاۤاَرۡسَلۡنٰکَاِلَّارَحۡمَۃًلِّلۡعٰلَمِیۡنَ ﴿۱۰۷﴾
And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds. This single verse profoundly illustrates his mission and identity. Prophet Muhammad ﷺsymbolised mercy and love for every being, displaying an exemplary character of kindness and compassion, even towards those who didn’t accept His message, never advocating hate or violence against any religion.
Let us examine the exemplary, loving, forgiving character practicing faith, fairness, and justice with piety:
During his Prophetic mission in his homeland, the Prophet and his followers faced relentless torture and persecution by their opponents. Thorny bushes and garbage were thrown in front of his door and pathways. He was personally attacked and stoned in the streets, and many of his followers were brutally punished and stalked to death. Prophet Muhammad ﷺwas ridiculed and insulted by his own family members and neighbors. Furthermore, the Prophet and his followers were socially and economically boycotted in the valley of Abu Talib for three years.
After severe persecution, Muslims were forced to flee their homes, seeking refuge in far-off lands like Abyssinia and Madinah. The tribe leaders of Makkah gathered with swords to assassinate Prophet Muhammad ﷺon the night of his migration to Madinah. However, instead of seeking revenge, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, while leaving his house, handed over the people’s property to Hazrat Ali with instructions to deliver the trusts to non-Muslims of Makkah. This act exemplified a trustworthy character and demonstrated how to deal with enemies with compassion.
Upon arriving in Madinah, one of his first major actions was to draw up a Charter that guaranteed the rights and religious freedoms of all major groups living there, promising to safeguard the lives of all citizens from enemy attacks. This charter laid the foundation for a strong relationship between all sects and tribes of Madinah.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ’s compassionate nature extended even to those of different faiths. When the funeral procession of a Jew passed by, he stood up out of respect and, when asked about it, stated, “Is he not a human being?”
Contrary to the common practice of killing or enslaving enemies after victory, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, upon entering Makkah as a victor, asked the Quraysh tribe, “What do you think of the treatment that I should accord you?” They replied, “Mercy, O Prophet of Allah. We expect nothing but good from you.” He responded with the words of Prophet Yusuf, saying, “No reproach upon you today! May Allah forgive you, and He is the Most-Merciful of all the merciful.”
The Prophet ﷺpardoned all his enemies and refrained from seeking vengeance. This extraordinary forgiveness led to the turning of many of his enemies into friends and followers.
The Messenger of God ﷺsaid, “The merciful are shown mercy by the Most Merciful (al-Rahman). Be merciful on earth, and you will be shown mercy from He who is above the heavens.” (al-Tirmidhi)
Even when the Prophet ﷺhimself faced physical torture and humiliation, such as the Taif incident wherein he was stoned until his shoes were soaked in blood and he lost the strength to walk, he responded with mercy, compassion, and hope.
Implementing the exemplary teachings from Qur’ān (41: 34):
وَلَاتَسۡتَوِیالۡحَسَنَۃُوَلَاالسَّیِّئَۃُ ۚ اِدۡفَعۡبِالَّتِیۡہِیَاَحۡسَنُ ۚ فَاِذَاالَّذِیۡبَیۡنَکَوَبَیۡنَہٗعَدَاوَۃٌکَاَنَّہٗوَلِیٌّحَمِیۡمٌ ﴿۳۴﴾
“Not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon the one between whom and you is enmity will become as though he was a devoted friend.”
These Qur’ānic verses teach us to be humble and kind to others, even if they are not kind to us, as mentioned in Surah Al-Furqan Ayat 63:
وَعِبَادُالرَّحۡمٰنِالَّذِيۡنَيَمۡشُوۡنَعَلَىالۡاَرۡضِهَوۡنًاوَّاِذَاخَاطَبَهُمُالۡجٰهِلُوۡنَقَالُوۡاسَلٰمًا
(“And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk on earth in humbleness, and when the ignorant address them, they say: Peace.”)
The Qur’ān also reminds us, “Let not the hatred of a people incite you to aggression. Be just; that is closer to piety” (Qur’ān 5:8). Prophet Muhammad ﷺencouraged his followers to seek reconciliation and make efforts to resolve conflicts, emphasizing that the best among us are those with the best conduct.
If we embrace forgiveness, perseverance, and love, we can foster compassion, and understanding, and ultimately build a better and more harmonious society.