TOWARDS GLOBAL PEACE

The Prophet of Islam has been sent as a blessing to the whole world. The greatest distinguishing feature of the Prophet is his being the instrument of universal mercy. The greatest distinguishing feature of the Prophet is his being the instrument of universal mercy. The Quran, as a matter of divine guidance, urges people to exercise patience and compassion in their dealings with one another. This means that everyone should treat others with sympathy and kindness. Even when one experiences unkindness from others, one should not return unkindness for unkindness, but should continue to behave sympathetically. Kindness Of all God’s names, the most popular, and most often used, is that of ‘Rahman’ (kind). The name ‘Raheem’, which comes along with ‘Rahman’, means ‘full of kindness’ The Muslims are asked to recite both these names of God before they undertake anything. According to a Hadith, even a mare does not step on to its foal lest the foal be injured. Kindness is also a great quality given by God to His prophets. The Quran says of the Prophet Muhammad, ‘To you has come a Prophet from amongst yourselves who feels your pain when you are in trouble, who is always mindful of your welfare and who is most considerate and kind to you.’ According to a Hadith, when one person is kind to another, God is kind to him. And, he who is not kind to his young people is not from amongst us. If an act of goodness is analyzed, it will be seen that, behind it, is a sense of kindness. All acts of cruelty, oppression and heartlessness are the result of a complete lack of a sense of kindness. Islam’s message envisages kindness to all living beings, all animals and all human beings; there are specific instructions on how to deal humanely with animals so as not to misuse them. The Prophet said, “No kindness shall be shown by God on the Day of Judgement to one who is not himself kind”. As a result of the wrong thinking and misdeeds of others, we are repeatedly faced with unpleasant experiences in this present world. Hence only those can firmly tread the path of love, politeness and gentleness who are able to refrain from the psychology of reaction.