Kindness

Truly there is no compulsion within Islam, it is progressive, it is modern, it encompasses all issues that we could possibly face. Admittedly, there are some grey areas within Islam but that is why we are given the capacity to make a decision and think logically. Islam is a not just a day- to day, i'll do what I feel like, kind of religion, it's a deen, a way of life, a way of thinking. The Qur'an has no flaw and no contradiction and one of the biggest beliefs in Islam, after Tawheed (belief in one God) is the treatment of other humans whether they be Muslims or the contrary. So why is it that Muslims feel its acceptable to mock and make fun of other Muslims and what they believe? Are you disobeying your God in the way of God? Does that make sense? I see Muslims all the time, poking fun and mocking other people for thinking differently. We are all judged by our intentions and as humans we do not have the capacity to see what is in the hearts of other people and so we should leave the judgement to Allah. Although it may be considered our  job to advise other Muslims albeit it should be done in private, it is certainly not our place to mock or even force our own ideologies upon a person. Islam is not force, Islam is not compulsion and everything that has been decreed, has been decreed for us by the Almighty in our best interests. Allah SWT is Al-Adl (The just), He is Al-Ghafur( The forgiver and hider of faults), He is Al Wali ( a protecting friend) and He is Al Wadud (the loving one.) If Allah SWT is gentle with his creation, should we not take heed and be gentle towards his creation? If a person is not kind and is not gentle in his character then people will not want to listen to anything you have to say even if it is the truth. The manner in which you speak is equally, if not more important than the content of your speech. Don't be too harsh with others, it is not our place to condemn them and we'll end up pushing people away from Islam, so speak with kindness and try to understand different points of view. We should endeavour to broaden our minds and not be harsh on viewpoints we simply do not understand. Our kindness towards other people is one of the best acts of Da'wah we can do because if Islam was truly within us, we would be soft- hearted towards the creation of Allah and not aggressive or forceful. However, one should not be kind and expect reward from the creation, only Allah can reward you for that. If you set out looking from redemption and acceptance from humans you will never find it.

Anas (ra) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Verily there are chambers in Paradise; their insides and outsides can be seen – for him who spoke kindly and fed (the hungry).” (al-Tirmidhi)