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become grievous sinners and criminals in His sight.

To refer now to some of the Tradition:

“The most beloved of men in the sight of Allah (Subhaanahu Wata’aalaa), on the Day of Resurrection, and the nearest to Him, shall be the just leader; and the most hateful of men in the sight of Allah (Subhaanahu Wata’aalaa) on the Day of Resurrection, and the farthest removed from Him, shall be the tyrannical ruler.”

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) is reported to have enquired one day from the Companions. “Do you know who will be the first to come under the shadow of Divine Mercy on the Day of Requital?” The Companions replied, “Allah (Subhaanahu Wata’aalaa) and His Apostle know best.”

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) then said, “They will be those who accept a trust when it is offered to them and restore it willingly to the rightful claimant when they are asked to do so, and who judge in respect of others exactly as they would in respect of themselves.”

The pity is that we ourselves have forgotten the glorious teachings of Islam. If we can produce these qualities in us today and become truthful in word and deed, and honest in the matter of our trusts and promises, and just and fair in our dealings with others, the success of the world is bound to kiss our feet and we will attain a high place in the paradise too.

Compassion and Forgiveness

To feel pity on a fellow human being in distress, to be compassionately drawn towards him, to bring him succor, to pardon the guilty and the defaulter are virtues which are valued very highly in Islam. Take these Traditions, for instance:

“Show kindness, and kindness will be shown to you; forgive, and you will be forgiven.”

“They will not obtain the mercy of Allah (Subhaanahu Wata’aalaa) in whose hearts there is no feeling of kindliness for others.”

“His sins will not be forgiven by Allah (Subhaanahu Wata’aalaa) who does not forgive the faults of the others.”

“Allah (Subhaanahu Wata’aalaa) will have mercy upon them that are merciful. Treat kindly the dwellers of the earth, He who dwells in the heavens will treat you kindly.”

It is apparent from the last Tradition that out kindliness and gentility is not to be confined to our own people alone. We ought to be kind and compassionate towards friend and foe alike and to all the creatures that exist on the earth.

It is reported from the Prophet (Peace be upon him) that once a person who was traveling by road saw a dog licking wet earth in the agony of its thirst. The traveler was moved by the spectacle and gave water to the dog to drink. This simple service of the man to the thirsting dog pleased Allah (Subhaanahu Wata’aalaa) so much that he blessed him with salvation.

Tenderness

Tenderness is monetary dealings, and in all other fields of one’s activity and the readiness to oblige and to put others at ease are all virtues of the highest order in the Islamic pattern of morality. We will reproduce two