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Written and collected by Zia H Shah MD, Chief Editor of the Muslim Times
As only the Islamophobes, who hate Islam or those Muslims, who want to enforce Shariah Law, of their imagination, by hook or crook, make headlines, the compassionate teachings of the Holy Quran are lost to the ordinary, non-Muslim observer.
The Holy Quran talks about One God and one human family.
Here, I want to stress the Quranic message of compassion, love and kindness by cataloging, as many verses, as I can, realizing that it can never be an exhaustive list as other readers will continue to find new ideas of mercy and grace in other verses of the Holy Quran.
I will count the verses, in this post, as I go along. The numbering of the verses of each Surah is with counting Bismillah as the first verse.
The Quran stresses that righteousness is not in precise observance of the rituals but in acts of compassion and kindness. It says that the litmus test for true belief and genuine worship is that it leads to compassionate living:
1. Goodness does not consist in turning your face towards East or West. The truly good are those who believe in God and the Last Day, in the angels, the Scripture, and the prophets; who give away some of their wealth, however much they cherish it, to their relatives, to orphans, the needy, travelers and beggars and to liberate those in debt and bondage; those who keep up the prayers and pay the prescribed alms; who keep pledges whenever they make them; who are steadfast in misfortune, adversity and times of danger. These are the ones who are true, and it is they who are aware of God. (Al Quran 2:178)
This verse talks about a set of beliefs and then a set of good deeds, the intricate relationship between the two escapes many if not most. Many take a set of beliefs as dogma or a magical wand that if believed in will lead to certain success here and in the hereafter. But, see if we believe that Jesus died for our sins or for that matter Moses or Joseph died for our sins or Muhammad, may peace be on him, went to heaven in his physical body, such ideas or deeply held beliefs are no different from knowing or believing that the table I am looking at in the center of my room right now is made of wood. This belief has no trans-formative value on my character. But, a belief gathered through life long experience, in All-Knowing, All-Powerful, Merciful and Gracious God, who loves us and has revealed Himself through prophets and scriptures and taught us accountability on the Day of Judgment, has the ability to jolt our psyche and make our character compassionate, truthful and honest. Such a deeply held and experienced belief and not any set of dogmas is implied in this verse of Surah Baqarah. In short, religion is about leading an honest life of compassion demonstrating kindness and not about obsession over dogma or ritual or who has the religious authority.
Every Friday in the second part of the sermon, Muslims all over the world hear a verse, which stresses, justice, kindness and natural mutual love as among the closest blood relatives:
2. Indeed, Allah enjoins justice, and the doing of good to others; and giving like kindred; and forbids indecency, and manifest evil, and wrongful transgression. He admonished you that you may take heed. (Al Quran 16:91)
Allah says that to be godly is to be compassionate. He makes His relationship or His Providence to the common man, conditional to common human compassion, by claiming that those, who wish to find Him, will succeed only if they are kind and compassionate to the common people:
3. And as for those who strive in Our path — We will surely guide them in Our ways. And Indeed, Allah is with those who are of service to others. (Al Quran 29:70)
4. Indeed, Allah is with those who are righteous and those who do good. (Al Quran 16:129)
Allah says that we should be the first and take initiative to do good to others, but, if others have been kind to us, in the first place, we have no choice, but to return the favor:
5. The reward of goodness is nothing but goodness. (Al Quran 55:61)
In one of the verses, which is recited at the time of marriage ceremony, Allah links the responsibility owed to Him to kind treatment of the in-laws relationships:
6. O ye people! fear your Lord, Who created you from a single soul and created therefrom its mate, and from them twain spread many men and women; and fear Allah, in Whose name you appeal to one another, and be mindful of your duty to Allah, particularly respecting ties of relationship. Verily, Allah watches over you. (Al Quran 4:2)
In the very beginning of every chapter or Sura of the Holy Quran, except one, we read, “In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful.”
Allah is not only the Gracious and the Merciful, but, also wants humanity to be gracious and merciful, to each other, in their spheres and this can be inferred from many verses of the Holy Quran.
As this verse is in the beginning of 113 chapters, except for Sura Taubah and in the middle of one Sura, it really sky rockets my count of verses here.
7-120. In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful.
Let me make a suggestion here, now, that we have 120 instructions from the All Knowing God, to be kind, merciful and compassionate.
Anyone, who has conscious or unconscious desire to benefit from political Islam, should first try this repeated teaching of being compassionate for a few decades. May be it will assuage his or her political ambition and bring him or her to true teachings of Islam.
“@The_MuslimTimes: Two Hundred Verses about Compassionate Living in the Quranhttp://t.co/FX9gdneToi pic.twitter.com/VtdUH1zTDx”
— Salima (@salimaalouache1) July 5, 2015
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The Holy Quran suggests compassion and kindness to be a recipe to turn ones enemies into bosom friends:
121-122. And good and evil are not alike. Repel evil with that which is best. And lo, he between whom and thyself was enmity will become as though he were a warm friend. But none is granted it save those who are steadfast; and none is granted it save those who possess a large share of good. (Al Quran 41:35-36)
Now, I am going to catalog all occurrences of the word “Mohsin,” in Arabic, in the Quran, in singular or plural form, as it means, one who does good and is of service to others. Two of these occurrences have already been counted above and I will not repeat those here:
123. It shall be no sin for you if you divorce women while you have not touched them, nor settled for them a dowry. But provide for them — the rich man according to his means and the poor man according to his means — a provision in a becoming manner, an obligation upon the virtuous. (Al Quran 2:237)
124. Those who spend in prosperity and adversity, and those who suppress anger and pardon men; and Allah loves those who do good. (Al Quran 3:135)
125. So Allah gave them the reward of this world, as also an excellent reward of the next; and Allah loves those who do good. (Al Quran 3:149)
126. And who is better in faith than he who submits himself to Allah, and he is a doer of good, and follows the religion of Abraham, the upright? And Allah took Abraham for a special friend. (Al Quran 4:126)
127. So, because of their breaking their covenant, We have cursed them, and have hardened their hearts. They pervert the words from their proper places and have forgotten a good part of that with which they were exhorted. And thou wilt not cease to discover treachery on their part, except in a few of them. So pardon them and turn away from them. Surely, Allah loves those who do good. (Al Quran 5:14)
128. So Allah rewarded them, for what they said, with Gardens beneath which streams flow. Therein shall they abide; and that is the reward of those who do good. (Al Quran 5:86)
129. On those who believe and do good works there shall be no sin for what they eat, provided they fear God and believe and do good works, and again fear God and believe, yet again fear God and do good. And Allah loves those who do good. (Al Quran 5:94)
130. And We gave him Isaac and Jacob; each did We guide aright, and Noah did We guide aright aforetime, and of his progeny, David and Solomon and Job and Joseph and Moses and Aaron. Thus do We reward those who do good. (Al Quran 6:85)
131. And remember the time when We said: “Enter this village and eat therefrom — wherever you will — plentifully; and enter the gate submissively and say: ‘God! forgive us our sins.’ We shall forgive you your sins and We shall give increase to those who do good. (Al Quran 2:59)
132. And create not disorder in the earth after it has been set in order, and call upon Him in fear and hope. Surely, the mercy of Allah is nigh unto those who do good. (Al Quran 7:57)
133. And when it was said to them, “Dwell in this town and eat therefrom wherever you will, and say, ‘God! lighten our burden,’ and enter the gate in humility, We shall forgive you your sins, and surely We shall give increase to those who do good.” (Al Quran 7:162)
134. No blame lies on the weak, nor on the sick, nor on those who find naught to spend, if they are sincere to Allah and His Messenger. There is no cause of reproach against those who do good deeds; and Allah is Most Forgiving, Merciful. (Al Quran 9:91)
135. It was not proper for the people of Medina and those around them from among the Arabs of the desert that they should have remained behind the Messenger of Allah or that they should have preferred their own lives to his. That is because there distresses them neither thirst nor fatigue nor hunger in the way of Allah, nor do they tread a track which enrages the disbelievers, nor do they cause an enemy any injury whatsoever, but there is written down for them a good work on account of it. Surely, Allah suffers not the reward of those who do good to be lost. (Al Quran 9:120)
136. And be thou steadfast; for surely, Allah suffers not the reward of the righteous to perish. (Al Quran 11:116)
137. And when he attained his age of full strength, We granted him judgment and knowledge. And thus do We reward the doers of good. (Al Quran 12:23)
138. And with him there entered the prison two young men. One of them said, ‘I saw myself in a dream pressing wine.’ And the other said, ‘I saw myself in a dream carrying upon my head bread of which the birds are eating. Inform us of the interpretation thereof; for we see thee to be of the righteous.’ (Al Quran 12:37)
139. And thus did We establish Joseph in the land. He dwelt therein wherever he pleased. We bestow Our mercy on whomsoever We please, and We suffer not the reward of the righteous to perish. (Al Quran 12:57)
140. They said, ‘O exalted one, he has a very aged father, so take one of us in his stead; for we see thee to be of those who do good.’ (Al Quran 12:79)
141. They replied, ‘Art thou Joseph?’ He said, ‘Yes, I am Joseph and this is my brother. Allah has indeed been gracious to us. Verily, whoso is righteous and is steadfast — Allah will never suffer the reward of the good to be lost.’ (Al Quran 12:91)
142. Their flesh reaches not Allah, nor does their blood, but it is your righteousness that reaches Him. Thus has He subjected them to you, that you may glorify Allah for His guiding you. And give glad tidings to those who do good. (Al Quran 22:38)
143. And when he reached his age of full strength and attained maturity, We gave him wisdom and knowledge; and thus do We reward those who do good. (Al Quran 28:15)
144. A guidance and a mercy for those who do good. (Al Quran 31:4)
145. And he who submits himself completely to Allah, and is a doer of good, he has surely grasped a strong handle. And with Allah rests the end of all affairs. (Al Quran 31:23)
146. ‘But if you desire Allah and His Messenger and the Home of the Hereafter, then truly Allah has prepared for those of you who do good a great reward.’ (Al Quran 33:30)
147. Thus indeed do We reward those who do good. (Al Quran 37:81)
148. ‘Thou hast indeed fulfilled the dream.’ Thus indeed do We reward those who do good. (Al Quran 37:106)
149. Thus do We reward those who do good. (Al Quran 37:111)
150. And We bestowed blessings on him and Isaac. And among their progeny are some who do good and others who clearly wrong themselves. (Al Quran 37:114)
151. Thus indeed do We reward those who do good. (Al Quran 37:122)
152. Thus indeed do We reward those who do good. (Al Quran 37:132)
153. They will have with their Lord whatever they desire; that is the reward of those who do good. (Al Quran 39:35)
154. “Or lest it should say, when it sees the punishment, ‘Would that there were for me a return to the world, I would then be among those who do good!’” (Al Quran 39:59)
155. And before it there was the Book of Moses, a guide and a mercy; and this is a Book in the Arabic language fulfilling previous prophecies, that it may warn those who do wrong; and as glad tidings to those who do good. (Al Quran 46:13)
156. Receiving what their Lord will give them; for they used to do good before that. (Al Quran 51:17)
157. Thus surely do We reward those who do good. (Al Quran 77:45)
158. Nay, whoever submits himself completely to Allah, and is the doer of good, shall have his reward with his Lord. No fear shall come upon such, neither shall they grieve. (Al Quran 2:113)
159. And spend for the cause of Allah, and cast not yourselves into ruin with your own hands, and do good; surely, Allah loves those who do good. (Al Quran 2:196)
When it comes to the specifics, as to who is most deserving of our compassion and kindness, the Holy Prophet Muhammad, may peace be on him, advised in favor of the mothers. There is a popular Hadith that almost every Muslim knows. A companion of the Prophet, asked him, “Who is most deserving of my good treatment?” “Your mother,” said the Prophet. Companion asked and then after her? “Your mother,” repeated the Prophet. It was only on the fourth query that the Prophet said, “Your father.”
Those who accuse Islam of gender inequality have perhaps not heard of this Hadith!
Let me, now, tabulate a few verses about the parents:
160. And remember the time when We took a covenant from the children of Israel: ‘You shall worship nothing but Allah and show kindness to parents and to kindred and orphans and the poor, and speak to men kindly and observe Prayer, and pay the Zakat;’ then you turned away in aversion, except a few of you. (Al Quran 2:84)
161. They ask thee what they shall spend. Say: ‘Whatever of good and abundant wealth you spend should be for parents and near relatives and orphans and the needy and the wayfarer. And whatever good you do, surely Allah knows it well.’ (Al Quran 2:216)
162. And worship Allah and associate naught with Him, and show kindness to parents, and to kindred, and orphans, and the needy, and to the neighbor that is a kinsman and the neighbor that is a stranger, and the companion by your side, and the wayfarer, and those whom your right hands possess. Surely, Allah loves not the proud and the boastful. (Al Quran 4:37)
163. Say, ‘Come, I will rehearse to you what your Lord has forbidden: that you associate not anything as partner with Him and that you do good to parents, and that you kill not your children for fear of poverty — it is We Who provide for you and for them — and that you approach not foul deeds, whether open or secret; and that you kill not the life which Allah has made sacred, save by right. That is what He has enjoined upon you, that you may understand. (Al Quran 6:152)
‘164. Our Lord, grant forgiveness to me and to my parents and to the believers on the day when the reckoning will take place.’ (Al Quran 14:42)
165. Thy Lord has commanded, “Worship none but Him, and show kindness to parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age with thee, never say unto them any word expressive of disgust nor reproach them, but address them with excellent speech. (Al Quran 17:24)
166. And We have enjoined on man kindness to his parents; but if they strive to make thee associate that with Me of which thou hast no knowledge, then obey them not. Unto Me is your return, and I shall inform you of what you did. (Al Quran 29:9)
167. And We have enjoined on man concerning his parents — his mother bears him in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning takes two years — ‘Give thanks to Me and to thy parents. Unto Me is the final return. (Al Quran 31:15)
168. And We have enjoined on man to be good to his parents. His mother bears him with pain, and brings him forth with pain. And the bearing of him and his weaning takes thirty months, till, when he attains his full maturity and reaches the age of forty years, he says, ‘My Lord, grant me the power that I may be grateful for Thy favour which Thou hast bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and that I may do such good works as may please Thee. And make my seed righteous for me. I do turn to Thee; and, truly, I am of those who submit to Thee.’ (Al Quran 46:16)
There are additional verses about the parents in the Holy Quran, but, as I am feeling more comfortable about my target of 200, I am going to leave those and talk about the teachings about spouses:
169. It is made lawful for you to go in unto your wives on the night of the fast. They are a garment for you, and you are a garment for them. (Al Quran 2:188)
170. Consort with them in kindness; and if you dislike them, it may be that you dislike a thing wherein Allah has placed much good. (Al Quran 4:20)
What does the Quran say about the weakest in our society, the orphans? Here, are a few vereses:
171. And they ask thee concerning the orphans. Say: ‘Promotion of their welfare is an act of great goodness. And if you intermix with them, they are your brethren. And Allah knows the mischief-maker from the reformer. And if Allah had so willed, He would have put you to hardship. Surely, Allah is Mighty, Wise.’ (Al Quran 2:21)
172. And if you fear that you will not be fair in dealing with the orphans, then marry of women as may be agreeable to you, two, or three, or four; and if you fear you will not deal justly, then marry only one or what your right hands possess. That is the nearest way for you to avoid injustice. (Al Quran 4:4)
173. And when other relations and orphans and the poor are present at the division of heritage, give them something therefrom and speak to them words of kindness. (Al Quran 4:9)
174. And they seek of thee the decision of the Law with regard to women. Say, Allah gives you His decision regarding them. And so does that which is recited to you in the Book concerning the orphan girls whom you give not what is prescribed for them and whom you desire to marry, and concerning the weak among children. And He enjoins you to observe equity towards the orphans. And whatever good you do, surely Allah knows it well. (Al Quran 4:128)
175. So the orphan, oppress not. (Al Quran 93:10)
The Holy Quran advises us to be compassionate to any one who asks for our favor:
176. And him who seeks thy help, chide not. (Al Quran 93:11)
Continuing with verses about kindness and compassion in general:
177. Those who believe and do good deeds — the Gracious God will create love in their hearts. (Al Quran 19:97)
One of the attributes of Allah is ‘The Merciful,’ Arabic word رحيم (Raheem) and the believers are required to emulate the attributes of Allah in their limited spheres. I just searched the word رحيم in Arabic search for the Quran in Alislam website and found that it occurs at least 227 times, including the first verse of each of the chapters of the Holy Quran, except for one. As we highlighted before, there are 114 mentions of “In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful,” in the Quran, which we have already counted.
This gives me 113 additional mentions for being kind and merciful: 177 + 113 = 290.
I saved one of the most important verses in this regards, for the very end, “And We (Allah) have sent thee (Muhammad) not but as a mercy for all peoples.” (Al Quran 21:108)
Now our count here is 291.
I rest my case!
May Allah give us true understanding of our faith. Ameen!
A New Commentary of the Holy Quran Emphasizing Compassion, Justice and Human Rights Launched https://t.co/AHTev2hfQo via @wordpressdotcom
— TheMuslimTimes (@TheMuslimTimes2) July 17, 2017
Dear Zia
I just sent you an e-mail concerning the unfortunate use of wrong terminology by the Ahmadi writers.
Now, I again read the same thing from your pen in an otherwise very useful article.
When you put the word Islam after or before a negative connotation like: Islamomaniacs or Islamozionist, you are being anti religion and not anti those who misuse it. I am telling you this because only the racist lobbies use such terminology in the west.
Please think seriously about the use of such horrible American style terminology.
KInd regards
Bashy Quraishy
Secretary General – EMISCO -European Muslim Initiative for Social Cohesion – Strasbourg
Member – Advisory Board – Migration Research Centre – Hacettepe University – Ankara.Turkey
Chair-Advisory Council-ENAR – Brussels
Chair-Jewish Muslim Platform – Brussels
Thanks Bashy Quraishy
As I am talking about compassion in this article, I have little choice, but, to show compassion towards your suggestion.
So, I have taken out the word, Islamomaniac and I never use the word, Islamozionist.
Best Regards!
Dr. Zia, my heart flows in love and appreciation of the monumental work you are doing single handedly to clear the beautiful compassionate face of Islam from unfounded allegations because of not understanding the true meanings of just and compassionate teaching of Islam. Jazakmullah.
This is very good collection indeed. I wish we have these verses printed and displayed in our mosques and more so in our hearts. Nothing can reflect it more than when it comes out as actions. I will keep this list as a good reference and will start using it whenever possible. Like our newsletters and magazines etc. at least
Islam will grow despite of strong opposition to Muslims in the west. Islam is not any new religion, Islam means to submit your will to one and true Lord, who is the Lord of the Thrones. Who sent Adam,Abraham,Ishmael,Isaac,Joanna,Lot,Joseph,Moses,Jesus and Muhammad( Peace and blessings of God be on them all),The Quran Honours Mary as the women chosen above women of all the nations and their is a chapter dedicated to her in Quran called chapter 19, Mary and Jesus(Peace be on him) was the mightiest messengers of God, he was born miraculously without any male intervention, he healed all the blind and sick by God’s Permission. And no Muslim is a Muslim if he does not believe in Jesus Christ as the messenger of God, and Jesus is coming back to this world, and this is our emaan our faith.Jesus says in the Bible that” on that day many will come to me and say, “Lord have we not done mighty works in thy name, in thy name cast out devils. Jesus says” You evil people depart from me, I never knew you”.
Islam is a religion of peace love and JUSTICE. Muslims don’t and should not prove their innocence who believe that Islam is a violent religion. ISLAM today and after 9/11 has been the fastest growing religion in the WORLD. To be honest, nobody like peaceful religion… it seems that its impossible to gain billions of followers if a prophet was evil.. and it has decline the number of Christianity in the world.. Judaism as well.. the only war today was due to people that are greedy for power.. but in majority of Muslims view, politics is only for man who wants to challenge his life. Most of us don’t like politics because later you would be put in trial in front of God. Ordinary Muslims prefer to be away from it..
When sister of the former British PM and so many women returned to Islam some inquisitive students begun to ask, why the West comes to Islam despite deliberate distortion in the Media and constant sponsorship against Islam? As a reminder, Pharaoh killed male children but Moses was brought up in his house. Allah guides whom so ever He wishes.
Everyone has a right to practice their religion regardless of who funds the education. As a Muslim I am in agreement that the lady’s dressing fails to meet the Islamic requirement. It is within her right to leave or follow the rules and continue teaching but to make this a media debacle is pointless. By the way if you are a non Muslim please do not comment on things you don’t know cause your argument will not carry any weight. I don’t understand what’s so hard to understand about the dress code for a Muslim woman. All they want to do is prevent perverted men staring them up and down. western woman sometimes were minimal clothing so they can grab the attention of men wherever they go, Muslim woman are just doing the opposite because they don’t feel the need to be prostituted. when will this propaganda stop!?
IA
http://www.londonschoolofislamics.org.uk
It is mostly lip service is given to this. …
Mike you always seem to be confusing the teachings of a religion, with the practice of its worst followers.
Is it unconscious or deliberate?
A great collection indeed. MashaAllah. This is true Islam. God is not in rituals. We should find him in his creation. And service of His creation is serving Him.
Yes, a great article indeed. Well done Dr Zia.
A Good Work indeed MaashaaAllah
I am reminded of a little book called “The Wisdom of Muhammad” which is a collection of 451 finest “sayings” of the Prophet. First published in 1905, it was reprinted and re-published by Citadel Press in 2001. The author was Sir Abdullah Suhrawardy who belonged to an Iraqi Sufi family settled in the Midnapore district of Bengal near Calcutta. He received the first Ph.D. degree awarded by the Calcutta University and was later knighted. There is a street named after him in Calcutta. Count Leo Tolstoy corresponded with him after reading this book. In an edition published posthumously in 1938, Mahatma Gandhi wrote the foreward. The Citadel Press edition is currently available and deserves better recognition.
Thank you so much for a wonderful comment. I just ordered the book.
Judaism, like Christianity and Islam, bases its spirituality in human compassion:
The Holy Quran prescribes freeing of slaves and feeding of hungry as repentance for many a sins:
In the Holy Quran Muslims are told to adopt the ‘sibgha’ of Allah, or, the colour of Allah. Meaning we should try to inculcate Allah’s attributes in ourselves. This being the case, everywhere in the Holy Quran where Allah’s names of Al-Rahman and Al-Raheem are mentioned, are actually reminding Muslim to be compassionate like Allah. This makes the number of verses far higher.
For example, Bismillah ir Rahman ir Raheem is mentioned at the beginning of most chapters, so that makes the verses which contain encouragement for compassionate living mentioned 114 more times than quoted here!
This comment is in response to the comment about the numbering of the verses of the Holy Quran.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community counts the verse Bismillah in the beginning of each chapter or Sura, as the verse number one.
The Holy Qurans published by many others, even though they always include the Bismillah in the beginning, but, do not count it in numbering the verses.
This explains the counting that the comment above is referring to.
At first I was reading through this to find encouragement for a dear friend of mine who is struggling right now. He is Muslim by faith and I am Christian. I find these verses to be inspiring!! I believe we are all aimed at compassion, love, and respect for one another. To respond to an earlier comment about why the west is flocking to Islam despite the strong media opposition I, as an American, believe it’s because we all search for truth. I believe God has many ways of reaching people of all nations be it through the Prophet Muhammad or Jesus Christ. We in the west are as simple people outside of politics also opposed by media and propoganda. I want the same thing my dear friend does. Encouragement when I’m down, love when I feel rejected or lonely, and compassion when the world feels cold. Now those are bases of human need we can all agree on. I love each and every one of you. I don’t have to know you to feel that. Thank you for the inspirational verses. I know they will lift the spirits of my friend as well as resonate within me!!
Dear Shah Sahib. Congratulations and jazakallh for such a remarkable work you have done mashallah. Got tears in my eyes, while reading your astonishing article. Alhamdolilah and Subhanallah,that Allah has blessed us such an intelligent and hard working writer, in our beloved Jamaat.
May Allah bless you and your family, Amen!
آپ کی صحت اور مزید کامیابی کے لئیے بُہت دُعائیں
اللہ کرے زورِ بیاں اور زِیادہ۔ آمین
Iffat Butt, Denmark
May Almighty Allah continue to strengthen you and increase you in faith.
Quoting the Gospel of Matthew:
Mr. Shah:
Thank you for this research. It is helpful for some study I am doing. Could you please answer a few quick questions for me in order to better educate me on this issue?
1) Is Allah known as a forgiving Father in the Quran?
2) If there are so many teachings in the Quran on compassion, then why do we see so much hate and persecution of other religions in the name of Islam?
Perhaps you could point me to other articles on the issue. Thank you
One additional question, Mr. Shah:
According to the Quran, what does one have to do to get to heaven? Thank you, again, for your time.
Eric your second question seems easier right now. So, let me try to answer that for you.
According to Islam, everyone will be judged by his or her inner truth:
God of Islam is more merciful than a good mother and a good father combined:
Loving God of Islam – Mercy and Grace: The Principal Attributes of Allah
May I suggest to you books by Jeffery Lang and Maurice Buccaile. Just search their names in Amazon.com.
If you tell me more about yourself, I could perhaps tailor my response to your needs.
Mr. Shah-
Thank you for taking the time to answer. I really appreciate it. I am a Christian who is attempting to better understand Islam from Muslims who are well-studied in the Quran, so, again, thank you for you taking the time.
From your answer regarding getting to heaven, that appears to conflict with the view of many extremists who commit acts of violence in the name of Islam. Am I correct in saying that Muslims, such as yourself, well-studied in the Quran would condemn such acts and not align themselves with those professing Muslims?
In the same way, most Christians would condemn professing Christians who have gravely misrepresented the Bible (committing heinous acts against people in the name of God). True Christians, abiding by the Bible, would strongly condemn those professing Christians (who are not Christians at all).
Good day to all.
Salaam Alaikum-
Peace and blessings be upon all humanity.
Dear Mr. Shahji,
I am borne of Muslim and Catholic parents, and so you can understand the tug of war I have endured for most of my life.
Yet, Allah,through His Mercy and Love, has,indeed, paved a wonderful path of learning and discovery for me, which has led me to great spiritual seeking (and understanding), and for that I am most grateful.
I have found that many take the stance of judgement on those with whom they do not affiliate, according to their own so-called religious convictions, erroneously so, when all Holy Books from whatever religion has the same fundalmental basis:
There is One God, and God is Love.
So Love and Compassion is key to obtaining closeness to God.
It is my experience, too, that many have unconsciously placed ownership on The Divine, when yet God is God of all and of all the world”S”.
It is up to us to find within us that God particle, that compassion and Light to make the world a better place, and not wait for someone else to do it.
Maybe it is man’s conditioned nature to want more for the self that man often overlooks the opportunities -for and of- blessings all around and it doesn’t always warrant more for the self, but more for others.That, in and of itself, gives more to the self.
Blessings lie in gratitude and in ourselfless sharing of ourselves with our fellow man (irrespective of religion, or thought of whether we think that is a good person or not).
I believe that Allah will ask us how we have treated each other, and so it is in essence our true (God-given) nature to show Love when there is hatred, to show compassion and understanding when there is disharmony and that we should be channels of peace, and in the face of all anarchy and violence, non-judgement.
That is why we are here; to honor God by awakening that God Light inside, living from the heart.
Blessing lie within us, same as Jesus (Nabi Eesa, PBUH) has said that”The kingdom of God lies within you.”
Too often people have misconstrued teachings, have fought wars over it and have even rejected and cut off themselves from the truth (maybe simply because of the source or due to not having understanding).
What is the truth? Love, Compassion, Oneness.
The world needs more visionaries, lovers of peace, and spiritual intellectuals.
I thank you for sharing this article and providing a platform for learning and sharing and may many more be inspired, Insha-Allah.
Many Blessings.
Nadia E
Dear Eric,
Do your research on Maurice Bucaille carefully. You will find superb things. Most important is to read the Quran yourself. Read the history of the Qur’an. Read the hadith, which are narrations of the life of prophet Muhannad. The qur’an is clear on what you should do to get to heaven.
Great idea! And it is timely too, as Muslims are passing through a phase in which the mullah has painted being unkind to non-believers or perceived non-believers as an Islamic virtue.
I hope you will compile your findings into a booklet, including with each verse the Arabic text and some discussion including reference to the context. A reference to the context often enhances the understanding a great deal.
I am sure that by the time you put all the relevant verses together they would number more than just two hundred.
That reminds me, have you included 5:33? I could not spot it in a quick scan.
Wonderful verses. Now if you can just deal with those not so wonderful ones…
In the Torah Infallible, Ineffable all-knowing and all-seeing God/Allah (for it was he who gave the Torah) made a Covenant with Noah. God knew that we would break the Commandment in Bereshit 9:6 as he knows all things but the Covenant was worded the way it was.
This Covenant still remains today if we could all just reject everything that follows as being man-made
http://www.nataninstitute.org/index.php/free-downloads
Quranic Commandment to speak to men kindly and politely
[2:84] And remember the time when We took a covenant from the children of Israel: ‘You shall worship nothing but Allah and show kindness to parents and to kindred and orphans and the poor, and speak to men kindly and observe Prayer, and pay the Zakat;’ then you turned away in aversion, except a few of you.
[4:6] And give not to the foolish your property which Allah has made for you a means of support; but feed them therewith and clothe them and speak to them words of kind advice.
[17:29] And if thou hast to turn away from them while seeking thy Lord’s mercy for which thou hopest, even then speak to them a gentle word.
[17:54] And say to My servants that they should speak that which is best. Surely, Satan stirs up discord among them. Surely, Satan is an open enemy to man.
Expression of the Golden rule in the Holy Quran
From the Qur’an: the first verse recommends the positive form of the rule, and the subsequent verses condemn not abiding the negative form of the Golden Rule:
“…and you should forgive And overlook: Do you not like God to forgive you? And Allah is The Merciful Forgiving.”
— Qur’an (Surah 24, “The Light,” v. 22)
“Woe to those… who, when they have to receive by measure from men, they demand exact full measure, but when they have to give by measure or weight to men, give less than due”
— Qur’an (Surah 83, “The Dealers in Fraud,” vv. 1–4)
“…orphans and the needy, give them something and speak kindly to them. And those who are concerned about the welfare of their own children after their death, should have fear of God [Treat other people’s Orphans justly] and guide them properly.”
— Qur’an (Surah 4, “The Women,” vv. 8-9)
“O you who believe! Spend [benevolently] of the good things that you have earned… and do not even think of spending [in alms] worthless things that you yourselves would be reluctant to accept.”
— Qur’an (Surah 2, “The Calf,” v. 267)
Being compassionate is a deed done by the Prophet. you did a great job by putting beautiful teachings of the Holy Qura’an about being compassionate.
you really done a gread job.
May Allah be with you.
Assalumo Alaikum wa Rahmatullahiwa Barakatuhu Zia Shah Sahib.
I enjoy it all great research,allah Ta’ala bless you.
Wasalm,
Nasirullah Ahmad.
Thank you so much for the comments and prayers above.
Continuing to tabulate additional verses on the above theme.
In the following verses, we read a metaphor against those, who are not compassionate and are miserly:
Tolerance and Compassion in Islam – Karen Armstrong
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fx4c29ol890&w=470&h=275%5D
Forty Hadiths about Compassionate Living
I have found no prophets of any religions ever saying something inhuman.Get me a single religion, which teaches killing, murders, rapes, loots!!
That you are talking about compassion in Islam is a great thing. May be it will help people knowing that there is other side of Islam.
My only problem, despite all this, having read your entire post, I find only one thing- you are good or not is separate matter, you need to be Muslim and if you are not Muslim, you are hardly good to yourself!! This undoes everything good about Islam. It insults all other religions as untrue-is this compassion?
Good deeds of all faiths are recognized and respected according to Quran. Quran says “Any one who will do an iota (very small amount) of good work will see it and get reward..” That means good work of Hindu and Muslim and Christian,, is recognized and appreciated by the Quran.
I am not talking from my self. I am referring to the Quran and there are many other clear words about that. I give one here:
“Surely those who are believers (that is Muslims) and those who are Jews and the Christians and people of other faiths, who ever believes in Allah (it means believes in God) and the accountability of the last day and DOES GOOD DEEDS, for them is a reward with their Lord and they will have no fear nor will they grieve.” [This verse is in chapter two.]
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