THE RELIGION OF HUMANITY: Islam’s Ethical and Spiritual Outlook

There is a narration in both Bukhari and Muslim in which the Prophet of Islam said, “God is gentle, and He loves gentleness in all matters” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 6927). Similarly, it is reported that he said, “God is gentle and loves gentleness. He gives through gentleness what He does not give through harshness or anything else” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 2593). Another narration states, “Anyone who is deprived of gentleness is deprived of all goodness” (Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith No. 4809). If you approach others with arrogance, you will provoke their egos, which will only worsen the situation. If you were previously met with harsh words, you may now have to endure even more severe treatment, such as being insulted. In contrast, if you approach people with gentleness, your behaviour will awaken their conscience. The situation will reverse: someone who was once an opponent may forget their hostility and become a close friend. Gentleness is a quality found in successful individuals, whereas arrogance is a characteristic of those who fail. CONTENTMENT (QINAAT) One important moral quality in a person is contentment. For the development of a better society, it is essential for individuals to possess the quality of contentment. In a society where people have a mindset of contentment, there will be an atmosphere of mutual respect and harmony. In