Mercy for Mankind
The Prophet, peace be upon him, is a ‘Mercy to the Worlds.’ His teachings are a blessing for the whole mankind. The community which believes in him as the last Prophet and Messenger, and follows the religion brought by him has, by Allah’s command, been cast into a religious brotherhood, through a common spiritual bond, and, now, it has to function, till the Last Day, as the deputy and representative of the Prophet, and this is possible only when its members behave like a fraternity, bound together by ties of religious solidarity, brotherly love and kindly feelings. Presented hereunder are a few ahadith dealing with social conduct.
1] It is related by Nu’man bin Bashir that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “In kindliness and affection, the Muslims are like a single body. If any part of it is stricken with disease, the whole body develops fever and feels restless.” – Bukhari and Muslim
2] It is related by Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “Do not be suspicious, for suspicion is the height of falsehood, nor bear grudge or enmity against each other, nor be jealous of each other, nor indulge in back-biting, nor pry into the secrets of one another, nor try unreasonably to excel one another, nor turn your faces against each other, but O slaves of God! live like brothers as the Lord has commanded.” – Bukhari and Muslim
3] Abu Hurayrah relates that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “Guard yourselves against envy for envy eats up good deeds as fire eats up wood.” – Abu Da’ud
4] It is related by ‘A’ishah that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “God is Compassionate and likes toleration and forbearance. (He wants the bondsmen to be kind and gentle to each other). He grants more to the kind-hearted and the tolerant than to those who are harsh and severe.” – Muslim
5] Jarir related to us saying that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “Whoever is devoid of kindness is devoid of all virtue.” – Muslim
6] It is related by Abu Hurayrah that once a person said to the Prophet, peace be upon him: “Sir, give me some advice.” The Prophet replied: “Do not lose your temper.” The man asked repeatedly, and the Prophet gave the same reply: “Do not lose your temper.” – Bukhari
Commentary
It should be noted that anger is forbidden which is for the satisfaction of a personal grievance and, when overcome by it, a man is likely to become heedless of the limits prescribed by God. But anger that is for the sake of God, and actuated by considerations of truth and justice, and does not go beyond the limits of the Law of God is a sign of perfection in Faith and a reflection of the Divine Attributes of Power and Majesty.
7] It is related by the Prophet, peace be upon him, that “He is not a strong man who overpowers others, but he who keeps himself under control when roused to anger.” – Bukhari and Muslim
8] It is related by ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “No one drank a draught superior, in the sight of God, to the draught of anger that was drunk with the intention of earning His good pleasure.” – Musnad Ahmad
9] Ibn ‘Abbas related that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said to Ashajj, leader of the tribe of Abdil Qais, that there are two habits of yours that are pleasing to the Lord: one is forbearance, i.e., not to be overcome with anger, and the other is not to act in a hurry.” – Muslim
10] It is related by Sahl bin Sa’ad Sa’idi that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “To act in a calm and collected manner is from the side of God, while to act in haste is from the side of the Devil.” – Tirmidhi
Commentary
What it tells is that to perform one’s duties in a steady and composed manner is a commendable quality and a Divine gift, whereas unseemly haste is a bad habit and bears the stamp of the Devil.
11] ‘A’ishah related to us, saying that (once) some Jews called on the Prophet, peace be upon him, and (out of viciousness), they greeted him with As-saam-u-Alaikum (Death be with you) instead of As-Salaam-u-Alaikum (Peace be upon you). On realising the meaning and intention of their salutation, she retorted, “May it be with you, and the curse of God.” Upon it, the Prophet, peace be upon him, observed, “No, ‘A’ishah, No. Control your tongue, and be polite, and guard yourself against foulness of speech.” – Bukhari
12] It is related by ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “A faithful believer neither attacks with his tongue nor utters a curse nor speaks ill of anyone nor calls names.” – Tirmidhi
13] It is related by Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “To speak gently is (a kind of) charity.” – Bukhari
