Page 41 - The Mercy of Believers

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TO WHOM DO BELIEVERS SHOW COMPASSION AND MERCY?

Setting divorced women free with liberality

In societies distant from religion, divorce often be-
comes a source of unrest and disagreements. This may be
accounted for by the failure of the parties to reach a com-
promise. The two sides usually voice their own requests
and claims and no criteria exist to judge their validity. The
absence of these criteria leads to many disagreements and
disputes.
The lives of believers are quite different from those of
the members of unenlightened societies. Unlike disbe-
lievers, they have a guide that directs every moment of
their lives and gives the best decision on their behalf. This
guide is the Qur'an, a blessing from Allah. People who
comply with the Qur'an share exactly the same views and
way of thinking; that is, they agree on the same rights,
wrongs, demands and claims. Furthermore, since this
common understanding rests upon the just Book Allah
has revealed, only the best results ensue. People who ini-
tially establish their bonds upon such an understanding
also display a compromising mood when they have to di-
vorce.
Events and conditions may change but what matters
for believers is to live by the principles of religion and to
show such moral perfection as will please Allah. Having
such a noble spirit, when divorce is in question, believers
never cease to treat the other party with respect, mercy
and kindness, also observing the Prophet Muhammad's
counsel, "The best of you are those who are best in dealing with
their wives." (Tirmidhi). In the following verse Allah de-
scribes the behaviour expected from believers: