Relations with non-Muslims - Teachings of the Prophet of Mercy(Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)

 Directive to treat others with mercy

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has instructed us to treat others with mercy and benevolence.  There is a Hadith:

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ -صلى الله عليه وسلم- « الرَّاحِمُونَ يَرْحَمُهُمُ الرَّحْمَنُ ارْحَمُوا مَنْ فِى الأَرْضِ يَرْحَمْكُمْ مَنْ فِى السَّمَاءِ

Translation: It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr (May Allah be well pleased with them) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  The Lord Almighty is Benevolent on those who deal with others with mercy.  Be merciful to the dwellers of the earth and the Lord of all worlds will be merciful with you[1]. 

There is another Hadith in this regard:

اتقوا الله وارحموا ترحموا ولا تباغضوا

Translation: Fear Allah!  Have mercy on the creation and you will be treated with mercy and don’t harbor mutual enmity![2] 

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has exhorted us to be merciful and benevolent with others.  There is a Hadith in Mo’jam Kabeer Tabarani:

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:الْخَلْقُ كُلُّهُمْ عِيَالُ اللَّهِ، فَأَحَبُّ الْخَلْقِ إِلَى اللَّهِ أَنْفَعُهُمْ لِعِيَالِهِ.

Translation: It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud, he says that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  The whole creation is the family of Allah and the most loved among all human beings is the one who benefits His creation the most.[3] 

Egypt was yet to be conquered, but the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) instructed the Companions beforehand that they should treat the Egyptians mercifully and benevolently.  There is a Hadith in Sahih Muslim:

عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ شُمَاسَةَ الْمَهْرِىِّ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا ذَرٍّ يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ -صلى الله عليه وسلم- « إِنَّكُمْ سَتَفْتَحُونَ أَرْضًا يُذْكَرُ فِيهَا الْقِيرَاطُ فَاسْتَوْصُوا بِأَهْلِهَا خَيْرًا فَإِنَّ لَهُمْ ذِمَّةً وَرَحِمًا

Translation: It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat ‘Abdur Rahmaan bin Shumasa Al Mahri (May Allah be well pleased with him) says:  I heard Hadhrat Abudhar (May Allah be well pleased with him) say:  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  Very soon you will conquer a place in which the custom of Qeeraat will be followed.  So, accept my emphatic advice to treat them nicely as your respecting them and being affectionate with them is their right.[4] 

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has ordered Muslims to treat those who live on the earth with mercy, to be merciful with all creation, which includes non-Muslims as well.  This shows that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has taught Muslims to treat non-Muslims with mercy and benevolence.