COMPASSION: THE PATH TO GUIDANCE AND COMMUNICATION

“You and I are like the person who lights a fire and the insects and moths begin to fall into it and he makes an effort to remove them. I am holding you back from the fire, but you are slipping from my hands.”
(Bukhari, Riqaq, 26; Muslim, Fadail, 17–19)
It is impossible to solve any personal or social problem without being able to forgive people for their mistakes or faults, and showing them the truth with compassion. This is why the Prophet made himself an example regarding the mistakes of his followers. These examples of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, opened a great path towards guidance in Islam. This example implies that if this is the path chosen it could be the means of reaching many people. Views that are contrary to this, i.e. not approaching people with compassion, will make the matter shallow, will degenerate it, and—at the worst—it will lead some people totally astray.
But if you can approach people of today with a heart of compassion you will be able to listen to their problems with a soul that has a depth of emotion. It is not possible for a person who lives a life surrounded by sin or who is struggling in the waves of misery, to be happy; nobody wants to remain thus of their own free will, except for those whose conscience has fallen into darkness or whose soul is in a state of total decay. There are reasons for such conditions; a person may have fallen into this situation due to a simple error and could be searching for a way to escape. Your compassion and words of comfort might just be their path to this escape.
A person who is approached with compassion, care, and moderation will have a gentler and calmer response, even if they disagree with what is being said. It is a fact that there have been many people, hundreds and maybe thousands, whose souls have opened up when it was most unexpected. If you reach out and help others, due to your sense of compassion and understanding, such people can reach the light of faith. They will be eternally grateful in their souls for your help, and of course you will also be rewarded in the Hereafter with a share of every good deed that they may perform.
We can elaborate on this topic with a few examples. Imagine that a person you dislike has been caught in a fire with his wife and children, or perhaps the survivors of a sinking ship are struggling to swim to safety, hoping to be saved by you, a complete stranger. Without giving a second thought, you would do what any other person, with any sense of humanity, would do; you would make every effort possible to save them, even if others were trying to prevent you. This is what your conscience orders you to do and the voice of the conscience is more effective than any other thing that anyone else may say.
In these times when humanity is being led into material and spiritual disasters that impact our lives, we must examine the situation and conditions from every angle and then give advice or intervene accordingly; it would not be right for a wise person, one who represents Islam, to participate in violence, abuse or force. They must distance themselves from lies and political interests at all times. Believers only exist to help out to others with love, affection, and compassion for the sake of God; this is what is needed and expected by those who are awaiting guidance. Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, is the greatest guide and the best example for us to follow; just imagine what he put up with for the sake of saving others’ faith. These even included people who would abuse and throw stones or foul objects at him, attempting to strangle him while he was praying.
He was stoned by the Taif community; covered in blood, he sought refuge under a tree in an orchard. The angel of the mountains appeared and told the Prophet that they were ready to crush the mountain over this disobedient nation if he wished; but the Prophet wished no harm upon these people and with his great compassion, he said that he hoped that God would send persons from among their nation who would worship Him.
Another clear demonstration of the Prophet’s sincere compassion was when his tooth was broken and a part from his metal helmet lodged into his cheek during a battle; with blood pouring down his face the Prophet held his hands and pleaded with the Creator: “O my Lord, guide this nation for they know not,” thus preventing any disaster from befalling them.
There is nothing to gain from feelings of resentment or harsh actions. Our duty is to serve humanity towards universal human values; force is not a method to be undertaken unnecessarily, nor should it ever be used when guiding others.