Discover the profound emphasis Islam places on compassion (Rahma) - one of the most frequently mentioned attributes of Allah in the Holy Quran.
Compassion (Rahma) is at the heart of Islam. Every chapter of the Quran, except one, begins with "Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Raheem" (In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful). This constant reminder emphasizes that mercy is Allah's defining attribute.
The Arabic word "Rahma" comes from the root "r-h-m," which is also the root for "womb" (rahim), symbolizing the nurturing, protective, and unconditional nature of divine compassion. Muslims are called to embody this mercy in their dealings with all of creation.
وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَالَمِينَ
"And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds."
Al-Anbiya 21:107
كَتَبَ رَبُّكُمْ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِهِ الرَّحْمَةَ
"Your Lord has decreed upon Himself mercy."
Al-An'am 6:54
وَرَحْمَتِي وَسِعَتْ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ
"And My mercy encompasses all things."
Al-A'raf 7:156
فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ لِنتَ لَهُمْ ۖ وَلَوْ كُنتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ الْقَلْبِ لَانفَضُّوا مِنْ حَوْلِكَ
"So by mercy from Allah, you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from around you."
Al-Imran 3:159
ثُمَّ كَانَ مِنَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْمَرْحَمَةِ
"And then being among those who believed and advised one another to patience and advised one another to compassion."
Al-Balad 90:17
مُّحَمَّدٌ رَّسُولُ اللَّهِ ۚ وَالَّذِينَ مَعَهُ أَشِدَّاءُ عَلَى الْكُفَّارِ رُحَمَاءُ بَيْنَهُمْ
"Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves."
Al-Fath 48:29
Allah's mercy encompasses everything in existence. His compassion is greater than that of a mother for her child, and He is always ready to forgive those who turn to Him.
The Quran commands believers to show kindness and mercy to parents, especially in their old age, as a reflection of divine compassion.
Islam teaches mercy towards all living beings - humans, animals, and the environment. The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Those who show mercy will be shown mercy by the Most Merciful."
Islam encourages believers not to despair of Allah's mercy. Self-forgiveness and hope in Allah's compassion are essential aspects of faith.
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