Kindness
Islam enjoins that Muslims should extend kindness to all creatures of God. These creatures include animals, the poor, orphans, widows, the sick, the travelers, the neighbours and non-Muslims.
The prophet (PBUH) said: Verily, Allah has ordained kindness on everything. So when you kill, kill it in the good manner, and when you slaughter, slaughter in the kind manner. Let anyone of you sharpen his knife and give rest to his slaughtered animal. Being kind to non-Muslim entails being hospitable to them and refraining from harming them.
Allah says: Q16:90
اِنَّ اللّٰهَ يَاۡمُرُ بِالۡعَدۡلِ وَالۡاِحۡسَانِ وَاِيۡتَآىـئِ ذِى الۡقُرۡبٰى وَيَنۡهٰى عَنِ الۡفَحۡشَآءِ وَالۡمُنۡكَرِ وَالۡبَغۡىِۚ يَعِظُكُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَذَكَّرُوۡنَ
Surely Allah enjoins justice, kindness and the doing of good to kith and kin, and forbids all that is shameful, evil and oppressive. He exhorts you so that you may be mindful.
Islam enjoins that Muslims should extend kindness to all creatures of God. These creatures include: animals, the poor, orphans, widows,. the sick, the travellers, the distressed, the neighbours, and non-Muslims alike. The Prophet (peace be on him) said: “Verily! Allah has ordained kindness on everything. So when you kill, kill it in the good manner, and when you slaughter, slaughter in the kind manner. Let anyone of you sharpen his knife and give rest to his slaughtered animal. ” (Muslim) Being kind to non-Muslims entails being hospitable to them and refraining from harming them. Allah says: “Indeed, Allah orders justice and kindness… ” Q16:90
One’s extension of kindness to others will make one to earn Allah’s mercy. The Prophet (peace be on him) said: “Whoever is kind, Allah will be kind to him; therefore be kind to man on the earth. He who is in the heaven will show mercy on you.
Importance of Kindness
- We should show kindness to our parents. We should assist them in their work. We should pity their condition and be kind and good to them when they are old.
- We should give them whatever they want from us.
- We should help people who ask for our assistance. Allah loves those who help old people. Allah rewards us when we assist people.
- We should be kind to orphans by assisting them to live life comfortably like those whose parents are alive. If we do that, other people will be kind to our children after our death.
- We should be kind to our close relations such as our uncles, aunts, brothers and sisters. They all need our help and assistance.
- We should be kind to the poor and needy .They need to be assisted because of their condition.
- If we assist other people by being kind to them, Allah is going to assist us. Therefore, we should be kind to all.