Can everyone be kind?

Unless He wills it, not everyone can be kind

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A few days back, my sibling and I were discussing our inner struggles. She told me how she only understood recently that she was a die-hard empath. To the point that it can become her weakness or a disadvantage. Meanwhile, I reiterated how my anger acts as a means for me to dig deeper for a good cause. Even when at times it makes me indifferent. Or makes me say things confidently without filters, forgetting that the opposite side may not be able to handle the truth at that moment. The best way to put this is—I forget to tread the kinder pathway.

The passageway, which makes humans feel good to walk in.

Let me be straight up open with you about myself for a few seconds.

I am a short-tempered person. It is hard for anybody outside my family to believe this fact. The truth is my temper rises only when I am ocean-deep comfortable with the person(s) I’m talking to. Sometimes my anger makes me believe that I don’t have any other options but to get angry. How it becomes almost impossible to not snap back and stay silent. I remember once when my anger was at its peak, I was gritting my teeth and clenching my fists. Eventually, I ended up punching my fists into the wall beside me. Thankfully no bones were broken. I only remember hearing a sound, which resulted in my hands aching for a few days after. The end result after every such outburst is me being stuck to a corner thinking,

“Can I ever be kind enough?”

Introduction to the light that is at the end of the tunnel

Let me blast your bubble. Because it is more than just a 'yes' or a 'no.' I found the answer to my question from the illuminating words of Allah. Before its glimpse touches you, let me narrate the unavoidable story so that you can embrace the light.

The infamous story of the Battle of Uhud

After the battle of Badr, the next decisive battle is the Battle of Uhud. In this battle, there were many Muslim casualties, including the death of Hamza RA, our beloved’s ﷺ uncle. A frightening moment was when the prophet Muhammad ﷺ was struck, which resulted in him falling down unconscious. The reason for all the chaos during the battle was the mistake of his Sahabahs (companions). Prophet Muhammad ﷺ asked a few of the Sahabahs who were archers to stay in a position. They were told to not move from that place even if they heard that the birds were eating the flesh of their dead companions. Still, the contrary happened. A few of them moved from their position when they heard of the victory of this battle. They thought that the opposite result meant they could move away from their position. Forgetting that sticking to the command was more important than the command itself. After everything was settled, including the grief for the lost, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ held them accountable. Amidst this, Allah revealed the ayat. I am stating a part of it. Because I am awed by it.

فَبِمَا رَحْمَةِ مِّنَ اللَّهِ لِنتَ لَهُمْ….١٥٩

(O Prophet), it was thanks to Allah’s mercy that you were gentle to them… ~ Quran: Surah Āl ‘Imrān 3:159

It is hard for me to grasp the fact that even after everything that happened, the prophet Muhammad ﷺ handled them gently. His beloved uncle was killed. Not only was he killed, but the enemy also chewed his organ. Even then, he ﷺ didn’t deem it necessary to punish his companions, who were the reason the enemy got the chance to act outrageously. He remained kind to them. He didn’t scream at the top of his lungs out of grief, frustration, and anger. He kept his emotions at bay and remained gentle with them. He proved that he was indeed Rahmatul-il ‘ālameen, a mercy for all that exists.

But have you noticed how Allah said it was all thanks to Him, Azza wajjal that he ﷺ remained gentle with them?

The source of the light

It was Allah who encouraged him ﷺ to be lenient with them. It was His unexplainable and immense mercy that made him unimaginably merciful. It was because of His incomprehensible mercy that he ﷺ was able to be gentle with them even after their supposedly unforgivable mistake. His ﷺ heart was prepared for this. He was able to look, speak, and act softly as expected. Not only was he able to be lenient, but he was also able to remind them of their goodness. This was what "linta lahum" of the ayah implied. To remind others of their goodness as a compliment. But the meaning didn’t limit it there. The prophet Muhammad ﷺ reminded them how their past good acts were still valid even after they made the mistake. In such a troubled and sad time, he was focusing on the good parts in them. He had sidelined his anger and thought and spoke without judgments. He became a source of comfort for his companions. He gave them the space to explain, listened to them, and guided them with gentleness. Allah has made the prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ heart and words soft for his Ummah, those who follow his commands and refrain from what he prohibits. It was due to Allah’s mercy our prophet Muhammad ﷺ became this kind.

Kindness is a light, like how he ﷺ is a light who has gladly been mentioned well in the illuminating book of Allah.

Verily, there has come unto you a Messenger from among yourselves. It grieves him that you should receive any injury or difficulty. He is anxious over you (to be rightly guided, to repent to Allah); for the believers (he is) full of pity, kind, and merciful. ~ Qurān: Surah At-Tawba, 9:128

Then is it even possible for you to be unkind?

You are from the Ummah of the kindest human to exist. As he ﷺ is a mercy to all that exist, you are expected to be merciful to whoever exists around you. Spread gentleness like him. Be merciful to those who forget to be merciful to you like him. Be compassionate to children like him. Show leniency to elderly and women like him. Let kindness spread without calculations and expectations.

It is Allah, the entirely merciful, the immensely compassionate, and the most loving, who illuminated his ﷺ heart with kindness. Then, how can He ignore you, the beloved ummah of His beloved ﷺ?

Remember, mercy is a divine quality because it is said, "Thanks to Allah’s mercy that you were gentle to them." Hence, don’t worry about trying to be kind when kindness is already built in you because of your endless efforts to be kind. He, the subtle one, never wastes the efforts of his slaves. When you pray for His light to enter your heart, it enters without delay. He, the most kind, is the one who sprouts kindness in the hearts of whoever He wills. Without realizing it, kindness will flow from you even if you are not part of the vast ocean of kindness.

May Allah bless you for taking your time to read this ♡

For those who are truly clueless about acts of kindness, check this carousel I posted on Instagram. Also, let me know your thoughts (which I’d love to know) because a few of my brain cells were fried researching about it lol

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With peace,

Faheema