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Hadith on Kindness
- “Kindness is not to be found in anything but that it adds to its beauty, and it is not withdrawn from anything but that it makes it defective.”
— Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (Musnad Ahmad)
This hadith tells us plainly that kindness beautifies everything. Without kindness, even good deeds lose their charm.
- “He who is not merciful to others, will not be treated mercifully.”
— Sahih al-Bukhari
This is a powerful reminder: if you want Allah’s mercy, show mercy to others first. That includes being kind, forgiving, and gentle.
- “Every act of kindness is charity.”
— Sahih al-Bukhari & Muslim
It may seem small — smiling, helping, or even a kind word — but the Prophet ﷺ teaches that kindness itself is a form of charity, earning you reward without fail.
- “The best among you are those who have the best manners and character.”
— Sahih al-Bukhari
Kindness is at the heart of good character. Without it, manners lose their meaning.
- “Do not disdain any good deed, even if it is meeting your brother with a cheerful face.”
— Sahih Muslim
A smile and kindness cost nothing but can brighten someone’s entire day.
Why this matters?
In the Islamic tradition, kindness is not just optional; it’s part of faith itself. The Prophet ﷺ himself was known as ‘Al-Rahmah al-Muhammadiyyah’ — the Mercy to all creation. He showed kindness to everyone: family, companions, enemies, animals, even plants.
The wisdom here? Our character is our legacy. Kindness builds bridges, softens hearts, and brings us closer to Allah.
Story 1: Kindness to the Orphan — Zaid ibn Harithah رضي الله عنه
The Prophet ﷺ cared deeply for orphans. One famous example is his love for Zaid ibn Harithah, who was actually his adopted son before Islam changed some rules on adoption names.
When Zaid was captured as a child and sold into slavery, the Prophet ﷺ sought to free him and treated him as family. This shows how kindness isn’t just about passing charity but about building loving relationships.
Lesson: Look after orphans and vulnerable people with sincere care, not just charity.
Story 2: The Gentle Approach with His Enemies
Despite facing severe persecution and even attempts on his life, the Prophet ﷺ never responded with harshness or cruelty. When the people of Taif rejected him and threw stones, he prayed for their guidance instead of cursing them.
Lesson: Kindness and forgiveness often open doors that anger and force never can.
Story 3: Kindness to Animals
One day, a woman was punished in Hell because she starved a cat. The Prophet ﷺ said that showing kindness to animals is a sign of true compassion.
Once, a camel came to the Prophet ﷺ, appearing tired and hungry. He told the owner to give it water and rest. The Prophet ﷺ emphasized mercy even to animals.
Lesson: Be kind to all creatures, big or small.
Story 4: Smiling as Charity
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Your smile for your brother is charity.” (Tirmidhi)
Even a simple smile is an act of kindness and spreads warmth and brotherhood.
Lesson: You don’t have to wait for a big moment to be kind—start with small gestures daily.
Story 5: Patience and Kindness with Children
The Prophet ﷺ was incredibly gentle with children. Once, a child urinated in his mosque, and instead of anger, he just cleaned it up calmly.
Lesson: Show patience and kindness especially to the young and the weak; it’s a reflection of your own character.
How to Apply These Lessons Today?
- Help orphans and those in need beyond just giving money—build connections and make them feel family.
- Respond to harm with kindness, trying to forgive and guide gently.
- Treat animals with care—feed them, don’t harm them unnecessarily.
- Smile more often to those around you, even strangers.
- Be patient and gentle especially with children and the elderly.
Dua to Increase Kindness and Mercy
“O Allah, make me among Your servants who show mercy to Your creation. Make me gentle in character, and enrich me with Your bounty, O Most Merciful of the merciful.”
You can say this after salah or during quiet moments.
“As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh, dear listeners! Today, I want to remind us all about a beautiful trait the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us—kindness. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, ‘Every act of kindness is charity.’ That means even a smile can earn you reward from Allah! So no matter how busy or tired we are, let’s try to be gentle and kind in our words and actions.”
Story:
“Once, the Prophet ﷺ saw a hungry camel and told its owner to give it water and rest. He cared even for animals! So imagine how much more we must care for our fellow humans, young and old.”
Call to Action:
“Let’s make a small goal today—to say something kind to someone, or help a neighbour, or even smile sincerely. This little act can change someone’s day, and bring us closer to Allah’s mercy. May Allah make us all kind-hearted servants.”
