Page 16 - The Mercy of Believers

14
THE MERCY OF BELIEVERS

deter him from such a deed. This is indeed true compas-
sion. That is because, at the risk of causing offence to the
other party, they put a stop to a conduct at variance with
Qur'anic teaching and thus prevent that person from en-
gaging in an act that would incur eternal torment in
hell—a point of no return. For that reason, believers en-
courage others to display the morality with which Allah
will be pleased most, and which will prepare them for a
life in paradise. In so doing, they display the most ele-
vated form of mercy. One needs to keep in mind that the
real cruelty is not to consider the eternal life and to delib-
erately ignore mistakes that would incur punishment.
In this respect, believers follow the Prophet
Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace,
as their role model, who, in the words of the Qur'an, was
"truly vast in character". (Surat al-Qalam: 4)
In another verse, Allah reveals the elevated morality
of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace:
"A Messenger has come to you from among yourselves.
Your suffering is distressing to him; he is deeply con-
cerned for you; he is gentle and merciful to the believ-
ers." (Surat at-Tawba: 128) Thus, in compliance with
Allah's command, believers who adopt this morality be-
have compassionately and mercifully towards believers
by considering their rewards in the hereafter.