Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Religion of Mercy Chapter 2: Islamic Clemency and Mercy in the Holy Qur’an With a brief study and reflection on some verses of the Holy Qur’an, we can find numerous examples of the Islamic clemency and mercy in this Divine Book, which is the basis and foundation of this religion.
Ratio of Lenience and Violence in Qur’an The Holy Qur’an consists of one hundred fourteen Surahs, one hundred thirteen of which start with the phrase, بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ ( "In the Name of Allah The Most Compassionate The Most Merciful") as the message of Islamic kindness, mercy and affection, however one Surah does not start with this phrase[^1] for a clear reason.
The surah is a notice of war, battle and hate to the obstinate and stubborn enemies of Islam for whom there was no hope of guidance and correction. Obviously, there is no room for talking about affection and mercy when fighting with the vindictive enemy. In other words, the ratio of violence and clemency in the Holy Qur’an is one to one hundred and fourteen. That is to say, clemency and lenience is the basis and violence is an exception.
Is it possible then to call a religion, the miracle of which is this Qur’an, as the religion of violence? Return Evil with Goodness God says: هَلْ جَزَاءُ الْإِحْسَانِ إِلَّا الْإِحْسَانُ "Shall the recompense of goodness be other than goodness?" (55:60) This verse which is full of affection, clemency and amity is an Islamic motto for Muslims.
Surprisingly, studying other Qur’anic verses, we find that not only instructs to recompense goodness with goodness, but also bids Muslims to reply evil with goodness! ادْفَعْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ السَّيِّئَةَ ۚ نَحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَصِفُونَ "Repel thou the evil with that which is fairer. We Ourselves know very well what they describe." (23:96) O Prophet! Even though the dupes have wronged with you, but you let them return to Islam through kindness and affection.
Does the religion, the logic of which is violence and severity recommend to its prophet to reply others’ evil with kindness? Or such religion is the religion of affection, kindness, clemency, tranquility and warmth?