In The Name Of Allah, The Most Gracious And The Most Merciful
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all creation. May Allah extol the mention of the Prophet Muhammad in the highest company of Angels and may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, his family, his Companions and all those who follow him exactly till the Day of Judgement.
Respected Brothers and Sisters! World Kindness Day is celebrated annually on 13th November. On this day, participants attempt to make the world a better place by celebrating and promoting good deeds and pledging acts of kindness, either as individuals or as organisations.
World Kindness Day was first launched in 1998 by The World Kindness Movement, an organisation formed at a 1997 Tokyo conference of like-minded kindness organisations from around the world. There are currently over 28 nations involved in The World Kindness Movement which is not affiliated with any religion or political movement. The mission of the World Kindness Movement and World Kindness Day is to create a kinder world by inspiring individuals and nations towards greater kindness.
World Kindness Day is observed in many countries, including Canada, Japan, Australia, Nigeria, United Arab Emirates etc.
Dear Brothers and Sisters! One of the most beloved qualities of good character to Allah is kindness and gentleness. Allah has reserved a special reward for those who are kind and gentle.
Aisha reported that: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
“O Aisha, Allah is gentle and He loves gentleness. He rewards for gentleness what is not granted for harshness and He does not reward anything else like it.” [Sahih Muslim]
Kindness and gentleness are traits that are inherently good, and whoever has them has been given his portion of goodness.
Jarir reported that: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
“He who is deprived of kindness is deprived of goodness.” [Sahih Muslim]
Abu Ad-Darda reported that: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
“Whoever is given his portion of kindness has been given his portion of goodness, and whoever is deprived of his portion of kindness has been deprived of his portion of goodness.” [Sunan At-Tirmidhi]
Allah loves kindness and gentleness in all matters, so we should manifest these qualities even when we face abuse and cruelty. On one occasion, the Prophet was insulted and cursed by his enemies but he did not return their curse. Rather, he showed patience, kindness and forbearance and encouraged his Companions to be kind.
Aisha reported that: A group of Jews asked permission to see the Prophet and when they were admitted they said:
“Death be upon you.” I (Aisha) said to them, “Rather death and the curse of Allah be upon you!” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “O Aisha, Allah is kind and He loves kindness in all matters.” [Sahih Bukhari]
Indeed, Allah sent Prophet Musa and Harun, peace be upon them, to Fir’awn (Pharaoh) and He commanded them to speak mildly to him and to begin their invitation to Islam with gentleness. Allah the Almighty said:
“Speak to him mildly that perhaps he may remember or fear Allah.” [Surah Ta Ha 20:44]
If this is how Allah commanded the Prophets to speak to the greatest of oppressors, then how much more deserving of kindness are those lesser than him?
A man recited this verse in front of Yahya Ibn Mu’az and he began to weep. Yahya said: My Allah, this is Your gentleness with one who claims to be God, then how is Your gentleness with one who says You are Allah?” [Tafsir Al-Baghawi]
Likewise, Prophet Muhammad was commanded to begin inviting the unbelievers of Makkah to Islam with gentleness, even though they were plotting against him and the Muslims. Allah the Most High said:
“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]
For this reason, the Prophet was patient and forbearing with their abuse for more than twenty years. Only after the persecution became so intense was he allowed to fight back in self-defense. Even so, the Prophet was given clear instructions to accept their repentance or at least accept their offer of peace. Allah the Almighty said:
“If they repent, establish prayer, and give charity, let them go their way. Verily, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. If any one of the idolaters seeks your protection, then grant him protection so that he may hear the words of Allah. Then deliver him to his place of safety. That is because they are a people who do not know.” [Surah At-Tawba 9:5-6]
Thus, the door of mercy and gentleness is never closed, as even the worst of criminals are given the opportunity to repent and make amends.
Furthermore, kindness and gentleness should be shown to the animals and indeed to all of creation.
Aisha reported that: I was upon a camel which was misbehaving so I began to beat it. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
“You must be gentle. Verily, gentleness is not in anything except that it beautifies it, and it is not removed from anything except that it disgraces it.” [Musnad Ahmad]
Dear Brothers and Sisters! Small acts of kindness, although it might be trivial in the eyes of people, are an important means for us to be saved from Hellfire and admitted into Paradise. Ibn Mas’ud reported that: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
“Shall I not tell you for whom the Hellfire is forbidden? It is every person accessible, polite, and mild.” [Sunan At-Tirmidhi]
Therefore, 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. 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 Fir’awn (Pharaoh) should be given his portion of kindness.
I ask Allah to beautify our manners with kindness and to protect us from falling into harshness. Ameen.
And all praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May the peace, blessings and salutations of Allah be upon our Noble Messenger, Muhammad, and upon his family, his Companions and his true followers.
Imam Murtada Muhammad Gusau, writes from Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: gusaumurtada@gmail.com or +2348038289761.
