Qara’ati writes...

Qara’ati writes: “Perhaps the mention of the words Raḥmān and Raḥīm at the beginning of the Book is an indication that the Qur’an is a manifestation of Divine mercy, just as creation and the prophetic mission are manifestations of His grace and mercy [1] .” The Qur’an further emphasizes that God’s mercy encompasses all things: “My mercy embraces all things” (Qur’an 7:156).

This universal declaration underscores that compassion in Islam is not exclusive to Muslims but extends to all of humanity and creation. Ṭabrisī in his interpretation writes: “Indeed, His mercy in this world encompasses both the righteous and the wicked, but on the Day of Resurrection, it will be exclusively for the God-conscious [2] .” The blessed Verse “Say, O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah.

Indeed, Allah forgives all sins…” (Qur’an 39:53) provides all sinners with the hope of turning to Allah Almighty, since the main goal behind all them is to guide man toward Him rather than hostility and vengeance. Proclaiming His Boundless Mercy, Forgiveness, and Love to all [3] . These verses highlight that compassion is both a divine attribute and a source of hope, encouraging repentance, humility, and trust in God’s kindness.

Compassion in the Qur’an Compassion in Islam is most vividly articulated in the Qur’an, where it is presented as a divine command, a moral virtue, and a defining feature of true believers. The Qur’anic term raḥma (mercy, compassion) occurs over 200 times [4] in various forms, underscoring its centrality in the spiritual and ethical worldview of Islam.

Compassion in Islam is not merely a personal quality but a collective responsibility that shapes the behavior of individuals, families, and societies. The Qur’an commands believers to show kindness and mercy to others, especially the vulnerable. In Surah Al-Baqarah (Qur’an 2:177), righteousness is defined in part by caring for orphans, the needy, travelers, and captives. This demonstrates that compassion is tied to social justice and the fair treatment of all people.

Moreover, the Qur’an emphasizes gentleness even when confronting wrongdoing. In Surah Tāhā (Qur’an 20:44), God commands Moses and Aaron to speak softly to Pharaoh: “Speak to him in a soft manner; maybe he will take admonition or fear.” This reveals that compassion in Islam is not abandoned even in the face of tyranny.