Mercy in practice
Faith expressed through how we live
The short answer
About 30 seconds to read
For Muslims, faith is meant to show in character. The Qur’an speaks of God’s mercy again and again, and the Prophet Muhammad taught that those who show mercy will be shown mercy by the Most Merciful.
Below are six themes. Each has a passage from the Qur’an or hadith, the context it comes from, and what it can look like in ordinary life. The theme names and practical notes are our own words; quotations are clearly marked and sourced.
Choose forgiveness
Patience, reconciliation and generosity of spirit, even when we have been wronged.
Those who spend (of that which Allah hath given them) in ease and in adversity, those who control their wrath and are forgiving toward mankind; Allah loveth the good;
Context: Part of a description of the God-conscious. Controlling anger and forgiving others are named alongside generosity.
The guerdon of an ill-deed is an ill the like thereof. But whosoever pardoneth and amendeth, his wage is the affair of Allah. Lo! He loveth not wrong-doers.
Context: This verse holds two things together. A proportionate response to wrongdoing is permitted, but pardon and reconciliation are praised, and God Himself promises their reward. Forgiving is a choice the person who was wronged is encouraged to make. It does not deny that a wrong was done.
The Prophet Muhammad said that real strength is not overpowering others, but controlling yourself when you are angry.
Source:Sahih al-Bukhari 6114
Care for others
Neighbours, family, vulnerable people, and those in need.
And serve Allah. Ascribe no thing as partner unto Him. (Show) kindness unto parents, and unto near kindred, and orphans, and the needy, and unto the neighbour who is of kin (unto you) and the neighbour who is not of kin, and the fellow-traveller and the wayfarer and (the slaves) whom your right hands possess. Lo! Allah loveth not such as are proud and boastful,
Context: Kindness to people follows directly after the worship of God, and the circle widens step by step: parents, relatives, orphans, the poor, neighbours near and far, companions, travellers, and people held in slavery, which was part of the society of the time.
The Prophet taught that the merciful are shown mercy by the Most Merciful, and told his followers to be merciful to those on earth.
Source:Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi 1924
He also taught that anyone who believes in God and the Last Day should not harm their neighbour, should be generous to their guest, and should speak good or stay silent. And he told of a sinful woman who was forgiven by God because she gave water to a dog dying of thirst.
The Qur’an gives someone who “repelleth the orphan” and “urgeth not the feeding of the needy” as the example of one who “belieth religion”.
Source:Qur’an 107:1–3
Cherish life
Human dignity and the protection of life.
Verily we have honoured the Children of Adam. …
Context: Every human being, as a descendant of Adam, carries a dignity given by God.
For that cause We decreed for the Children of Israel that whosoever killeth a human being for other than manslaughter or corruption in the earth, it shall be as if he had killed all mankind, and whoso saveth the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind. Our messengers came unto them of old with clear proofs (of Allah’s Sovereignty), but afterwards lo! many of them became prodigals in the earth.
This verse is often quoted, sometimes in shortened form. Reading it carefully shows four things:
- Where it sits. It follows the story of Adam’s two sons, in which one kills his brother (5:27–31). “For that cause” connects the ruling to that first murder.
- Who it addresses. The verse describes something God decreed for the Children of Israel.
- Its qualifications. It makes exceptions for killing in response to a killing and for “corruption in the earth”. Pickthall renders the first exception as “manslaughter”; other translators render it “for a soul”, meaning retribution for murder. The next verse, 5:33, sets out severe punishments for those who “make war upon Allah and His messenger and strive after corruption in the land”.
- How Muslims apply it. Muslims often cite the verse as a moral principle: each human life carries immense worth. The Qur’an gives Muslims the same command directly elsewhere: “slay not the life which Allah hath made sacred, save in the course of justice” (6:151).
The Prophet also warned that anyone who kills a non-Muslim living under a treaty with Muslims will not even smell the fragrance of Paradise.
Source:Sahih al-Bukhari 3166
Give with kindness
Generosity that respects the dignity of the person who receives it.
A kind word with forgiveness is better than almsgiving followed by injury. Allah is Absolute, Clement.
Context: The surrounding verses warn against following a gift with “reproach and injury”: reminding people of your generosity, or humiliating them, empties the gift of its worth (2:262–264). Giving quietly to the poor is praised as better (2:271).
And feed with food the needy wretch, the orphan and the prisoner, for love of Him, (Saying): We feed you, for the sake of Allah only. We wish for no reward nor thanks from you;
Context: A description of the righteous, who give without expecting anything back, not even thanks.
The Prophet taught that charity does not decrease wealth.
Source:Sahih Muslim 2588
Act with justice
Fairness and accountability, including when it costs us.
O ye who believe! Be steadfast witnesses for Allah in equity, and let not hatred of any people seduce you that ye deal not justly. Deal justly, that is nearer to your duty. Observe your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is Informed of what ye do.
Context: Justice is owed even to people one dislikes. Another verse, 4:135, asks believers to stand firm for justice even against themselves, their parents or their relatives, whether the person concerned is rich or poor.
Allah forbiddeth you not those who warred not against you on account of religion and drove you not out from your homes, that ye should show them kindness and deal justly with them. Lo! Allah loveth the just dealers.
Context: This verse concerns people of other faiths who had not fought Muslims over religion or driven them from their homes. The next verse (60:9) forbids taking as allies those who had. We include both so that the principle is not overstated: kindness and justice toward peaceful neighbours of other faiths are explicitly encouraged.
Live with humility
Devotion to God and honest self-examination.
The (faithful) slaves of the Beneficent are they who walk upon the earth modestly, and when the foolish ones address them answer: Peace;
Context: Pickthall’s “slaves” translates a word that also means servants or worshippers of God.
O mankind! Lo! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Lo! Allah is Knower, Aware.
Context: No one is better in God’s sight because of birth, nation or tribe; only conduct counts.
The Qur’an records the wise man Luqman advising his son not to turn away from people in scorn or walk proudly on the earth. The Prophet taught that no one humbles themselves for God’s sake without God raising them.
Sources:Qur’an 31:18–19Sahih Muslim 2588
Sources for this page
Quotations are marked and linked. Summaries are in our own words. How we choose and cite sources.
Qur’an
Qur’an, Surah Ali ‘Imran (3)
Verse 3:134
Quoted from M. M. Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain. Parenthetical words are Pickthall’s. Modern translations can be compared on Quran.com.
Qur’an
Qur’an, Surah Ash-Shura (42)
Verse 42:40
Quoted from M. M. Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain. Parenthetical words are Pickthall’s. Modern translations can be compared on Quran.com.
Hadith
Sahih al-Bukhari, hadith 6114
Sunnah.com reference: bukhari:6114
Summarized in our own words. Arabic text and a full English translation are available at the link.
Narrated by Abu Hurairah.
Qur’an
Qur’an, Surah An-Nisa (4)
Verse 4:36
Quoted from M. M. Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain. Parenthetical words are Pickthall’s. Modern translations can be compared on Quran.com.
Hadith
Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi, hadith 1924
Sunnah.com reference: tirmidhi:1924
Summarized in our own words. Arabic text and a full English translation are available at the link.
Narrated by ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr. Graded hasan (good) by Darussalam, as shown on Sunnah.com.
Hadith
Sahih al-Bukhari, hadith 6018
Sunnah.com reference: bukhari:6018
Summarized in our own words. Arabic text and a full English translation are available at the link.
Narrated by Abu Hurairah.
Hadith
Sahih al-Bukhari, hadith 3467
Sunnah.com reference: bukhari:3467
Summarized in our own words. Arabic text and a full English translation are available at the link.
Narrated by Abu Hurairah. The woman is described as a prostitute from the Children of Israel.
Qur’an
Qur’an, Surah Al-Ma‘un (107)
Verses 107:1–3
Quoted from M. M. Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain. Parenthetical words are Pickthall’s. Modern translations can be compared on Quran.com.
Qur’an
Qur’an, Surah Al-Isra (17)
Verse 17:70
Quoted from M. M. Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain. Parenthetical words are Pickthall’s. Modern translations can be compared on Quran.com.
Qur’an
Qur’an, Surah Al-Ma’idah (5)
Verse 5:32
Quoted from M. M. Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain. Parenthetical words are Pickthall’s. Modern translations can be compared on Quran.com.
Qur’an
Qur’an, Surah Al-Ma’idah (5)
Verses 5:27–31
Quoted from M. M. Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain. Parenthetical words are Pickthall’s. Modern translations can be compared on Quran.com.
Qur’an
Qur’an, Surah Al-Ma’idah (5)
Verse 5:33
Quoted from M. M. Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain. Parenthetical words are Pickthall’s. Modern translations can be compared on Quran.com.
Qur’an
Qur’an, Surah Al-An‘am (6)
Verse 6:151
Quoted from M. M. Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain. Parenthetical words are Pickthall’s. Modern translations can be compared on Quran.com.
Hadith
Sahih al-Bukhari, hadith 3166
Sunnah.com reference: bukhari:3166
Summarized in our own words. Arabic text and a full English translation are available at the link.
Narrated by ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr. Concerns killing a person who has a treaty or agreement of protection with the Muslims.
Qur’an
Qur’an, Surah Al-Baqarah (2)
Verse 2:263
Quoted from M. M. Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain. Parenthetical words are Pickthall’s. Modern translations can be compared on Quran.com.
Qur’an
Qur’an, Surah Al-Insan (76)
Verses 76:8–9
Quoted from M. M. Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain. Parenthetical words are Pickthall’s. Modern translations can be compared on Quran.com.
Hadith
Sahih Muslim, hadith 2588
Sunnah.com reference: muslim:2588
Summarized in our own words. Arabic text and a full English translation are available at the link.
Narrated by Abu Hurairah. The same saying also speaks of forgiveness and humility.
Qur’an
Qur’an, Surah Al-Ma’idah (5)
Verse 5:8
Quoted from M. M. Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain. Parenthetical words are Pickthall’s. Modern translations can be compared on Quran.com.
Qur’an
Qur’an, Surah Al-Mumtahanah (60)
Verse 60:8
Quoted from M. M. Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain. Parenthetical words are Pickthall’s. Modern translations can be compared on Quran.com.
Qur’an
Qur’an, Surah Al-Furqan (25)
Verse 25:63
Quoted from M. M. Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain. Parenthetical words are Pickthall’s. Modern translations can be compared on Quran.com.
Qur’an
Qur’an, Surah Al-Hujurat (49)
Verse 49:13
Quoted from M. M. Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain. Parenthetical words are Pickthall’s. Modern translations can be compared on Quran.com.
Qur’an
Qur’an, Surah Luqman (31)
Verses 31:18–19
Quoted from M. M. Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain. Parenthetical words are Pickthall’s. Modern translations can be compared on Quran.com.