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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Principles of Sociology in Islam Mercy And Kindness To People =============================== Mercy and kindness occupy an important place in the Islamic social code.

The Holy Qur'an narrates the courtesy of the last Prophet (S) in the following words; فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ لِنْتَ لَهُمْ ۖ وَلَوْ كُنْتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ الْقَلْبِ لَانْفَضُّوا مِنْ حَوْلِكَ It is by some mercy of Allah that thou (O Prophet) art gentle to them ; hadst thou been harsh and hard-hearted, they would have scattered from about thee.

(3:159) This Qur'anic verse clarifies that benevolence and kindness of the Holy Prophet (S) to all was one of the reasons of people's attraction towards him. People are fed up of discourteous and harsh persons and certainly such persons are the victims of their own bad nature. As omission and unwanted errors are part of human nature, the same should be overlooked and retaliation avoided. سُئل أبو عبد الله (ع) ما حدّ حُسن الخلق؟ قال: تلين جناحك وتُطيبُ كلامك وتلقى أخاك بِبشرٍ حسنٍ.

The sixth Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a. s.) was asked: "What is the definition of good manners?" The Imam said: "Keeping your wings soft, (i.e., behaving benevolently and courteously), talking sweetly and virtuously and meeting your fellow brethren with a happy and smiling face.[^1] Imam `Ali (a.

s.) in his will to his son, Imam al-Hasan (a.s.) said: إحمل نفسك من أخيك عند صرمه على الصِلة وعند صدوده على اللطف والمُقاومة وعند جُموده على البذل وعند تباعُده على الدُنوّ وعند شدته على اللين ، وعند جُرمه على العُذر ، حتى كأنك له عبد ، وكأنه ذو نعمة عليك ، وإياك أن تضع ذلك في غير موضعه أو أن تفعله بغير أهله.

Bear yourself towards your brother in such a way that if he disregards kinship you keep to it; when he turns away be kind to him and draw near to him; when he withholds, spend for him; when he goes away approach him; when he is harsh be lenient; when he commits wrong think of (his) excuse for it, so much so as though you are a slave of him and he is the benevolent master over you.

But take care that this should not be done inappropriately, and that you should not behave so with an undeserving person.[^2] Short temperament and engulfing people in flames of anger lead to failure and loss of friends. It is true that evil-doers should be put in their places, but wisdom limits this theory due to the reason that precaution and reform with an iron fist is impossible.

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