Almighty Allah says in the Glorious Qur’an: And, (O Esteemed Messenger,) We have not sent you but as a Mercy for all the worlds.
(Surah Al-Ambiya Chapter 21 : Verse 107)
Hadith
Hazrat Abu Hurayra(Radiyallahu Anhu) reported Allah’s Messenger(peace be upon him) said, “O People! I am only mercy gifted to you!”
{al-Darimi 1:21 Hadith #10 ;Ibn Abi Shayba in Al-Musannaf,6:325 Hadith #31782;Al-Hakim Al-Mustadrak 1:91 Hadith #100;Al-Tabarani in Al-Mu’jam Al-Awsat, 3:223 Hadith #2981;Al-Bayhaqi Sh’ab al-Iman 2:143 Hadith #1402;Al-Haythami in Majma al-Zawaid 8:257}
The Prophet(peace be upon him) was specifically given a gentle disposition (layyin al-janib) towards humanity. He treated people with compassion and care even though they often treated him with cruelty, harshness, and disobedience. Even when his people rejected him, his mercy prevailed. Prophet (peace be upon him) had both impeccable character in his outward behavior and true compassion in his inward disposition, as his heart was filled with mercy. Prophet Muhammad(peace be upon him)’s gentle disposition, concern and mercy encompassed every sector of creation. Part of his excellence is that Allah adorned him with two of His Names when He said,(Raufun Raheem) “and is Gentle, Merciful.”
Almighty Allah says in the Qur’an : Surely a (Glorious) Messenger from amongst yourselves has come to you. Your suffering and distress (becomes) grievously heavy on him (blessings and peace be upon him). (O mankind,) he is ardently desirous of your (betterment and guidance. And) he is most (deeply) GENTLE and MERCIFUL to the believers.
( Surah Al-Tauba, Chapter 9 : Verse 128 )
Prophet Muhammad(peace be upon him) treated relatives nicely, financially helped the poor and the needy, hosted guests, helped people in difficulties. Those laudable attributes of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) which were described by Hadrat Khadija Kubra (May Allah be well pleased with her) are:
You maintain good relations with relatives, i.e. you fulfill the rights of the relatives. You share the burden of the weak i.e. you take the burden of old, handicapped, weak non-Muslims on yourself. You share your income with the needy and the poor. You host guests and help those needy people who are on the path of truth.
{Sahih Bukhari, Babu Badi’l Wahi, Hadith No. 03}
His Rank as “Mercy to the Worlds” and his Compassion for all creation
Hadith #1
Abd Allah bin Masud(Radiyallahu anhu) said,”It is as if I am looking at the Prophet(peace be upon him) now, speaking about a Prophet from Prophets of old; one struck by his people,causing him to bleed,and yet he said said as he wiped blood from his face, ‘O Allah! Forgive my people ,for they know not!”
{Sahih Bukhari,Kitab Al-Ambiya,3:1282 Hadith #3290;Sahih Muslim Kitab Al-Jihad wa Al-Siyar,3:1417 Hadith #1792;Ahmad bin Hambal in Al-Musnad 1:453 Hadith #4331;Ibn Majah in al-Sunan Kitab Al-Fitan,2:1335 Hadith #4025;Abu Yala in Al-Musnad 9:131 Hadith #5205}
Hadith #2
Hazrat Abu Hurayra(Radiyallahu Anhu) said,”It was submitted,“O Messenger of Allah! Invoke a curse against the pagans”,
{ Reported by Muslim and al-Bukhari in al-Adab[al-Mufrad }
but he replied,“I was not sent as a curser; I was only sent as a mercy.”
In another narration he(peace be upon him) said,” I was only sent as mercy and I was not sent as punishment.”
{ Reported by Abu Nu’aym,al-Bayhaqi and Ibn Asakir }
Hadith #3
According to Abu Umama(Radiyallahu Anhu), Allah’s Messenger(peace be upon him) said, “Indeed Allah sent me as mercy to the worlds and a guidance for the worlds.”
{Ahmad b. Hanbal in Al-Musnad,5:268 Hadith #22361; al-Tabarani in al-Mu’jam al-Kabir,8:196 HAdith #7803;al-Mundhiri in al-Targhib wa al-Tarhib 3:181 HAdith #3583;al-Haythami in Majma al-Zawaid 5:69;al-Suyuti in al-Durr al-Manthur 5:688;Ibn Rajab in Jami al-Ulum wa al-Hikam 1:415}
Hadith #4
Abu Musa al-Ash’ari(Radiyallahu Anhu) said,” Allah’s Messenger(peace be upon him) would mention to us his various names.
{Sahih Muslim Kitab al-Fadail,4:1828 Hadith #2355;Ahmad b. Hanbal in al-Musnad 4:395 Hadith #404;Ibn Abi Shayba in al-Musannaf 6:311 Hadith #31692;al-Hakim in al-Mustadrak 2:659 Hadith #4185;al-Tabarani in Mu’jam al-Awsat 4:327 Hadith #4338;Ibn Ja’d in al-Musnad 1:479 Hadith#3322}
He would say,” I am Muhammad, Ahmad, al-Muqaffi[The Last], al-Hadhir [The Gatherer], the Prophet of Repentance and the Prophet of Mercy.”
Hadith #5
According to Malik b. al-Huwayrith(Radiyallahu Anhu),“Allah’s Messenger(peace be upon him) was most merciful and tender-hearted.”
{Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Masajid wa mawadi al-salah,1:465 Hadith #674;al-Daraqutni in al-Sunan 1:272 , Hadith #1;al-Tabarani in al-Mu’jam al-Kabir 19:288 Hadith #637;al-Bayhaqi in al-Sunan al-Kubra 1:385 Hadith # 1678 and 3:120 Hadith #5076}
Reference Book: Muhammad(ﷺ) : The Merciful by Shaykh ul Islam Dr. Tahir ul Qadri
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