Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Religion of Mercy

This text presents commentary discussions by the honorable Marja' Grand Ayatullah Makarim Shirazi which examines the religion of Islam and highlights the concepts of clemency which is are analyzed in light of the Holy Qur'an, authentic narrations, and practices of religious leaders.

Author(s): Ayatullah al-`Uzma al-Hajj ash-Shaykh Nasir Makarim Shirazi

Translator(s): Abolghassem Olyan Nejadi

Table of Contents

Preface 4

References 5

Chapter 1: Explanation and Description of Question  6

Is Islam Religion of Violence or Clemency? 6

Reference 7

Chapter 2: Islamic Clemency and Mercy in the Holy Qur’an  8

Ratio of Lenience and Violence in Qur’an. 8

Return Evil with Goodness 8

Islamic Clemency even with non-Muslims 8

Prophet’s (S) Benevolence, an Attracting Factor for Muslims 9

Peace and Truce, the Basic Islamic Program. 10

Amity and Mercy Are Among the Signs of God. 10

Reference 11

Chapter 3: Islamic Clemency and Mercy in Narration  12

Affection is the Basis of Religion. 12

Islamic Mercy in the Battlefield. 12

Islamic Clemency and other Creatures 14

Dua (invocation) of Muslims for all Human Beings! 15

References 17

Chapter 4: Islamic Clemency and Mercy in the Practices of Religious Leaders 18

Prophet’s (S) Clemency after Conquest of Mecca 18

‘Ali (as) and Recommendations for his Slayer 18

Chapter 5: Questions and Objections 20

Is the Law of Retaliation an Indication of Religious Violence? 20

Are Islamic punishments compatible with the religious clemency and benevolence? 21

First: Studying philosophy of penal laws and punishments 21

Second: Ways for proving applicability of penal laws 22

Third: Rules for execution of penal laws 23

Holy War (Jihad) and Islamic clemency. 24

First and second: Military readiness for prevention from war 24

Third: Scope of Holy War (Jihad) and its Rules 24

Fourth: Is ignoring Jihad equal to destruction of houses of worship. 25

Initial Jihad. 25

1) Jihad for extinguishing sedition. 27

2) Jihad with tyrants and rebels 28

3) Jihad for elimination of hindrances to freedom for propagation of Islam  28

Objectives of Jihad in Islam. 29

Sometimes calamities too are merciful! 29

References 31

Appendixes 32

1) Statements of His holiness Grand Ayatollah Makarim Shirazi criticising Pope’s utterances regarding Islam  32

2) Invitation from Pope to a scientific and logical debate 32

Text of His holiness’s letter to Pope 33

3) The remonstrant letter by representative of Iranian Assyrians to Pope 33

4) Is it a mistake or something else? 34

Reference 37

Preface

Pope Benedict XVI, the leader of world’s Catholics in his lecture on Tuesday, 121 September 2006 in Ratisbona University, Regensburg, Germany, discussed about relation of rationalism, faith and Jihad, and accused Islam to violence and incompatibility with knowledge and wisdom. In his speech, he cited a quotation from talks between Christian Byzantine emperors, Manuel II with an Iranian Muslim religious scholar saying: “Let me know what new Muhammad has introduced? Has he brought anything save bad and inhuman ideas? For instance, he ordered the faith which he preaches to be spread by force of sword”.2

Narrating the said historical quotation, Pope has attributed two unfounded accusations to Islam: first, the accusation of violence and progress of Islam by force and sword; second, incompatibility of the sacred religion of Islam with knowledge and rationalism.

Although these are not new accusations against Islam, and those who are not able to encounter logically with this strong religion and culture have tried to prevent conversion of truth-seekers to Islam through such accusations, but it is very awful when a religious authority as the highest rank of world’s Catholics, who should naturally have sufficient familiarity with other religions in the world, utters such accusations. So, it was deemed necessary to give an appropriate reply to these unfair accusations. Here we reply to the first accusation, and Insha’Allah, we will prove his second accusation to be unfounded with authentic reasoning and documentation later.

Hereunder you will find a part of commentary discussions by the honorable Marja’ Hazrat Grand Ayatullah Makarim Shirazi during the blessed month of Ramadan, and published in the book, “The Loftiest Servants”.

The said discussions are reviewed and complementary notes are added, you can find it here in six chapters.

Moreover, for completion of this work, the statement by his holiness in reply to the unfounded speech by the Pope, and the notice for declaring readiness by His holiness to debate with Pope about the claim will be available in chapter six.

We hope this sacred religion which is full of clemency, compassion and rationalism to accept this little action from us and make it a reserve for us in the Day of Resurrection.

Wassalam Alaykum Va Rahmatullah Va Barakatuh

Abolghassem Olyan Nejadi

15.10.2006

References

1. It is noteworthy that the said lecture was delivered one day after the suspicious event of 11th September, and a few days after the wonderful victory of Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the awful defeat of the usurper Israel.

2. Newsletter of Qom Seminary Professors Association, issue 927, page 29.

Chapter 1: Explanation and Description of Question

Is Islam Religion of Violence or Clemency?

When obstinate adversaries of Islam found this divine religion a big hindrance for their interests, and more proper to say, their avarice, they decided to fight and encounter with it. They used any means and method for achieving their objectives. The struggle started from the early days of appearance of Islam, and it is and will be continuing. Rather, at our time it is one of the main programs of the West, headed by U.S.1

One of their generally applied unmanly tools is the accusation of violence. They say: “Islam is the religion of violence and war. Islam is not compatible with the man’s gentle spirit. Islam disregards human rights.”

Then, they spread and implant these unfair accusations against Islam throughout the world.

Regretfully, we shall confess that the deeds of some unreal Muslims support their poisonous propagations, for instance, we can refer to Taliban group who were the symbol and indication of violence, barbarism, oppression and injustice and at the meantime, alien to Islam, and as an Islamic population ruled Afghanistan for a short period.

This small rude and ungodly population committed strange crimes during their short period of governance under the name of Islam. Our enemies provided films and reports from their deeds and crimes and broadcasted them in the world as an image from Islam. The films included heinous crimes such as beheading humans like sheep. However, fortunately the majority of Muslims in the world expressed their hatred and disgust to these unreal Muslims, and called their actions and deeds fabrications by their weak and unable mind.

Al-Qaida sect was even worse and ruder than them. They, who only know the name of Islam, but nothing of its instructions and rulings, committed such crimes in Iraq which were unprecedented in the history.

Fortunately, the absolute majority of Muslims condemned them and called them alien to Islam.

Considering these issues, it is necessary to discuss seriously and carefully if Islam is really the religion of violence or the religion of mercy, clemency and amicable relations?

In order to answer this question, we shall refer to the Holy Qur’an and the luminous verses of this virgin and unaltered book and the utterances of our infallible religious leaders. Then, we can find some samples of the social and practical attitudes of these great men, and compare them with the behaviors of those claiming for civilisation in the Western world to let the sun of truth to reveal from the back of dark clouds.

Reference

1. Although, apparently, some pretend belief in some Islamic rules, and even in the blessed month of Ramadan, they provide Iftar (fast-breaking food) for the Islamic authorities, but today the nature of these demagogic actions is known to all, and all Muslims know that they have conspired powerfully for destruction of Islam, which is a healing to human’s present and future pains and problems.

Chapter 2: Islamic Clemency and Mercy in the Holy Qur’an

With a brief study and reflection on some verses of the Holy Qur’an, we can find numerous examples of the Islamic clemency and mercy in this Divine Book, which is the basis and foundation of this religion.

Ratio of Lenience and Violence in Qur’an

The Holy Qur’an consists of one hundred fourteen Surahs, one hundred thirteen of which start with the phrase,بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ ( "In the Name of Allah The Most Compassionate The Most Merciful") as the message of Islamic kindness, mercy and affection, however one Surah does not start with this phrase1 for a clear reason.

The surah is a notice of war, battle and hate to the obstinate and stubborn enemies of Islam for whom there was no hope of guidance and correction. Obviously, there is no room for talking about affection and mercy when fighting with the vindictive enemy. In other words, the ratio of violence and clemency in the Holy Qur’an is one to one hundred and fourteen. That is to say, clemency and lenience is the basis and violence is an exception. Is it possible then to call a religion, the miracle of which is this Qur’an, as the religion of violence?

Return Evil with Goodness

God says:

هَلْ جَزَاءُ الْإِحْسَانِ إِلَّا الْإِحْسَانُ

"Shall the recompense of goodness be other than goodness?" (55:60)

This verse which is full of affection, clemency and amity is an Islamic motto for Muslims. Surprisingly, studying other Qur’anic verses, we find that not only instructs to recompense goodness with goodness, but also bids Muslims to reply evil with goodness!

ادْفَعْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ السَّيِّئَةَ نَحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَصِفُونَ

"Repel thou the evil with that which is fairer. We Ourselves know very well what they describe." (23:96)

O Prophet! Even though the dupes have wronged with you, but you let them return to Islam through kindness and affection.

Does the religion, the logic of which is violence and severity recommend to its prophet to reply others’ evil with kindness? Or such religion is the religion of affection, kindness, clemency, tranquility and warmth?

Islamic Clemency even with non-Muslims

قُلْ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا يَغْفِرُوا لِلَّذِينَ لَا يَرْجُونَ أَيَّامَ اللَّهِ لِيَجْزِيَ قَوْمًا بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ

"Say unto those who believe, that they forgive those who do not look for the days of God, that He may recompense people for that they have been earning." (45:14)

According to the above verse, Islamic clemency and benevolence is not allocated and restricted just to the Muslims and believers. Rather, God instructs Muslims to be kind with non-Muslims too.

Is such religion the religion of violence?

We read in the story of People of Lot that the divine messengers commissioned for punishment appeared to Hazrat Abraham (as) in the shape of strangers. They were commissioned to destroy and ruin the city of People of Lot. Abraham (as) prepared food for them, but none of them touched it. This did not sound good at that time, because when a stranger guest did not touch food, the host was not secure of his evil. On the contrary, if he took food, the host felt tranquility and security. On this account, Abraham (as) conceived fear of them and felt danger, he asked them the reason. They replied: “Don’t worry. We are messengers from your Lord who have appeared to you for accomplishment of two missions:

First, we would like to give you the glad tidings of Isaac and after Isaac, of Jacob; although your wife is an old woman and you are an old man too.

Abraham (as) and his wife became very happy and were delighted.

The other is that we are commissioned to extinguish People of Lot who are sinful and evildoer”.

This in contrary to the first news was very distressing and disturbing for Abraham. Then, he negotiated with the divine messengers for deferment or alleviation in punishment of People of Lot, and disputed with them on this.

The angels replied to his request:

يَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ أَعْرِضْ عَنْ هَٰذَا إِنَّهُ قَدْ جَاءَ أَمْرُ رَبِّكَ وَإِنَّهُمْ آتِيهِمْ عَذَابٌ غَيْرُ مَرْدُودٍ

"O Abraham, turn away from this; thy Lord’s command has surely come, and there is coming upon them a chastisement not to be turned back." (11:76)

While People of Lot were one of the most sinful, tainted and dirty of the precedent nations and people, Abraham’s (as) clemency and benevolence embraced them, and he was even trying to spend his honor with God for them and intercede for delay or alleviation in their chastisement.

Abraham’s (as) charity and lenient attitude is really an exemplary one, and Qur’an and Islam encourage such kindness and benevolence.

Is it acceptable to accuse such religion which is full of clemency, kindness and benevolence to violent? Never!

Prophet’s (S) Benevolence, an Attracting Factor for Muslims

One of the miracles of Holy Prophet of Islam (S) is to be soft at heart and bring hearts together:

فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ لِنْتَ لَهُمْ وَلَوْ كُنْتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ الْقَلْبِ لَانْفَضُّوا مِنْ حَوْلِكَ

"It was by mercy of God that thou wast gentle to them; hadst thou been harsh and hard of heart, they would have scattered from about thee." (3:159)

According to this verse, Prophet’s (S) clemency and benevolence (originating from divine mercy) attracted people and their trust to him. We read in verse 63, The Spoils surah:

لَوْ أَنْفَقْتَ مَا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا مَا أَلَّفْتَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِهِمْ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ أَلَّفَ بَيْنَهُمْ إِنَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ

"Had thou expended all that is in the earth, thou could not have brought their hearts together; but God brought their hearts together; surely He is All-mighty, All-wise." (8:63)

Formation of a powerful Muslim nation from amongst the stubborn and ignorant people, while changing their scattered and spiteful hearts to hearts that are united and kind was a divine miracle.

Therefore, we have not exaggerated if call “bringing hearts together”, uniting the rude and spiteful people and seeding affection, benevolence and intimacy among them as one of the important miracles by Islam Prophet (S).

Is the religion that is bringing hearts together with benevolence and clemency as one of its miracles, the religion of violence?

Peace and Truce, the Basic Islamic Program

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ادْخُلُوا فِي السِّلْمِ كَافَّةً وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُبِينٌ

"O believers, enter the peace, all of you, and follow not the steps of Satan; he is a manifest foe to you." (2:208)

According to the above verse, peace and truce is a basic Islamic program. It is interesting that Qur’an calls those who arouse dissidence, and seek war and struggle – a follower of Satan. In other words, peace and truce is a divine and merciful attitude, while war, arousing dissidence and violence is a Satanic and devilish one.

Amity and Mercy Are Among the Signs of God

Some verses of Holy Qur’an indicate the signs of God’s Magnificence, which is the subject of “Argumentation of Order” in theology:

وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ أَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُمْ مِنْ أَنْفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَاجًا لِتَسْكُنُوا إِلَيْهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَكُمْ مَوَدَّةً وَرَحْمَةً إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

"And of His signs is that He created for you, of yourselves, spouses, that you might repose in them, and He has set between you love and mercy. Surely in that are signs for a people who consider." (30:21)

Here, “between you” may refer to the spouses. However, it could be applied and extended to all human beings. So, one of the signs of God is that He has brought affection, amity and mercy among all humans.

Right! “Bringing hearts together” is one of the divine signs, because otherwise, social life was not possible.

Reference

1. It is interesting that this single case has been compensated somewhere else in the Holy Qur’an, because the phrase بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ, has been repeated two times in the Surah An-Naml, The Ant, n.27.

Chapter 3: Islamic Clemency and Mercy in Narration

Islamic clemency and mercy has been reflected in the various and numerous narrations, to some of which we refer hereunder:

Affection is the Basis of Religion

Imam Sadiq (as) says:

هل الدین الا الحب! ان الله عز و جل یقول: قل ان کنتم تحبون الله فاتبعونی یحببکم الله

"Is religion anything save affection and mercy?! (Then he reasons: because) The Almighty God says:" If you love God, obey my instructions (Prophet (S) to be loved by God." 1

That is to say, the motive for obeying divine instructions is love and affection towards God.

We read in another narration from Imam Baqir (as):

الدین هو الحب و الحب هو الدین

"Religion is affection, and affection is religion." 2

Sometimes intellectual reasoning is man’s motive for doing something, and sometimes his love and affection make him do something. Are these two motives similar?

God sets love between the spouses for continuation of human generation. If logic and intellectual reasoning served to be man’s motive for survival of its generation, and for instance if he thinks:

“One shall marry for survival of its generation to have offspring and bear all the related troubles and difficulties “or “Since I need help for when I become old and weak, and need someone to help and support me, then, I shall marry to have children”.

If one’s motive for marriage is any of above intellectual reasoning, only one per hundred would undertake to marry and bear the numerous hardships, problems and failures of matrimony and breeding.

However, the sexual attraction and love leads humans towards marriage despite of all its problems so that they accept and bear all hardships voluntarily, and rather, spend their entire life for their children to raise them and help them to learn to walk and talk. Right! The motive of love and affection causes such strange and amazing power.

It is applicable to the religious programs too, and for this reason the above narrations have stressed on love and affection. If you are a lover, you will be led to divine obedience and will undertake its hardships. If you are a lover of Imam of the Time (as), it will be easy for you to obey his orders and fight with vices and evils. Right!

Love and affection facilitates tasks. Is the religious doctrine which promotes the motive of its followers to be affection and love and introduces a religion equal to love and affection, be the religion of violence?

Islamic Mercy in the Battlefield

Islamic clemency and mercy is so extensive that it appears in the battlefield too. In other words, Islam renders such importance to affection,

benevolence and clemency that it recommends it to its followers even in the center of violence and harshness! On this account, we find remarkable points in this respect in the narrations concerned with manners and rules of warfare, one of which is referred to hereunder:

Imam Sadiq (as) says: When Islam’s Prophet (S) decided to send soldiers to the battlefield; he called and reminded them the rules3, (so that if a soldier disregarded the rules, he was reproached):

سیرو بسم الله و بالله و فی سبیل الله و علی ملة رسول الله

“Depart towards the battlefield (but not for sensual desires; rather), in the name of God and for His consent, and with a pure intention for Him free from any non-godly motive and act as per the Islamic programs (which will be explained later).”

“Do not betray( لا تغلوا ) ”

: What is meant by this phrase? Three possible concepts could be understood:

First: Do not betray when distributing war spoils. It has also been mentioned in some other Qur’anic verses to divide what belongs to the government and leadership, and what for the warriors shall be distributed among them fairly.

Second: The previous warriors may have betrayed each other in some affairs others than spoils.

Third: Not only must you not betray your mate warriors, but also do not betray your enemies, and fight with them chivalrously.

“Do not mutilate (“(

و لا تمثلوا

: Do not mutilate the corpse of your enemy after killing him.

It has been narrated from Islam Prophet (S): Even if a wild dog attacked you, and you killed it. You are not authorised to mutilate it.4

“Do not deceive”: If you agreed for peace with your enemy, and signed cease fire with him, respect your promise and contract, and do not violate it. Muslim is one who is faithful even to the promise and contract he binds with his enemies. Hazrat ‘Ali (as) writes to his brave commander, Malik al-Ashtar:

If a contract and promise is concluded between you and your enemy, or you gave refuge to him, be faithful to your promise, and trustful to what you have undertaken, and do not spare your life for your promise, because none of divine obligations is similar to fulfillment of promise, in which all people in the world agree despite of all different thoughts and desires they may have.5

لا تقتلوا شیخا فانیا و لا صبیا و لا امرأة

“Do not attack the weak and unable people who do not participate in the war, and do not kill the feeble old men, children and ladies.”

و لا تقطوا شجرا الا ان تضطروا الیها

 “Do not cut trees, unless you have to!”

Studying these high rules and prudent and advanced instructions, one finds and is surprised with magnificence of Islam and scope of Islamic mercy. The Islamic clemency is even extended to the center of violence, and it includes even the trees. Prophet (S) orders his soldiers not to cut any tree at the time of war and battle, and not to hurt nature, unless the trees impede progress of Muslim soldiers and host of Qur’an. In this case, there is no problem for cutting them as much as necessary.

The further instructions of Prophet (S) clearly indicate Islamic clemency, benevolence and mercy in the battle field. Pay attention:

و ایما رجل من ادنی المسلمین او افضلهم أنظر الی احد من المسلمین فهو جار حتی یسمع کلام الله فان تبعکم فی الدین و ان ابی فأبلغوه مأمنه

 “When one from the Muslim host, either the highest or the lowest in rank, gives refuge to one of the polytheists, he shall be secure, and he shall be transferred to the rear. The Islamic knowledge, instructions and rulings shall be explained for him gently and patiently. If he converted to Islam, he would be a Muslim like you, and would have the same rights Muslim have. If he did not accept Islam, or asked a respite for thinking about the Islamic instructions, he shall be returned to his country safely, and he shall never be annoyed and bothered.”

Of course, it is not easy to follow these instructions. It calls for a strong faith and charity. This is the reason why at the end of his lecture, Prophet (S) orders his soldiers to seek help from God for observance of these rules. Does the world claiming for observance of human rights and philanthropic mottos observe any of such rules? In the conflict between Israel and Palestine, these rules are never observed. Rather, these barbarian and savage felons ruin the houses of Palestinians and burn their farms, and destroy the trees. They show no pity to the small and old men and women. At the meantime, those claiming for human rights defend them and accuse us of violence.

Islamic Clemency and other Creatures

Islamic clemency and benevolence includes not only all humans (regardless of their religion), but also all creatures and beings.

On this basis, there are narrations among Islamic instructions talking about animals’ rights6. Hereunder, we refer to one sample for familiarity with scope of Islamic clemency and affection.

Islam’s Prophet Muhammad (S) has numerated six rights for the beast which shall be observed by their owners:

یبدء بلعفها اذا نزل

“When he reaches a place of rest, first he shall provide water and food for the animal. Then, he may think of his own food.”

و یعرض علیها الماء اذا مر به

“During journey and course, when he finds water, he shall lead the animal there to drink.”

و لا یضرت وجهها فانها تسبح بحمد ربها

“(If he wants the animal to move faster) He shall not lash the animal’s face and head because the animals too glorify God, and it is not right to lash the head and face of animal which glorifies God.”7

و لا یقف علی ظهرها الا فی سبیل الله

“He shall not ride on the standing animal unless in the path of God (for instance, in the battle field, where there is no problem for riding on the standing animal, because there is the possibility of raid by the enemy).”

و لا یحملها فوق طاقتها

“The animals too have a limited power and ability. One shall consider the beast’s ability, and do not make it carry more than what he can.”

و لا یکفلها من المشی الا ما تطیق

“In addition to drafting, the beasts shall be also cared for long journeys and distances, and one shall ride on them as much as their ability and bearing.”

These are subtle instructions which are not observed in the present world, and no one cares about them. Rather, many do not even understand it. However, the merciful religion of Islam takes care all of these subtle points and bids its followers to observe them. Is such religion the religion of violence?

Dua (invocation) of Muslims for all Human Beings!

Dua and blessings recited in the blessed month of Ramadan after the obligatory daily prayers in all mosques and worship centers throughout the world are another indication of Islamic mercy and benevolence. Thereby, Muslims invoke God for solving problems of all human beings (not only Muslims). We study hereunder some of these invocations:

اللهم ادخل علی اهل القبور السرور

“O Allah! Let all the dead to be cheerful!”

اللهم اغن کل فقیر

“O Allah! Let all the needy to be rich!”

اللهم اشبع کل جائع

“O Allah! Let all the hungry to be fed!”

اللهم اکس کل عریان

“O Allah! Let all the naked to be clothed!”

اللهم اقض دین کل مدین

“O Allah! Let all the indebted to get their debts paid!”

اللهم فرج عن کل مکروب

“O Allah! Let the affairs of all the worried untangled!”

اللهم رد کل غریب

“O Allah! Let all the expatriates be repatriated!”

اللهم فک کل اسیر

“O Allah! Let all the captives to be liberated!”

اللهم اشف کل مریض

“O Allah! Let all the sick people to be healed!”

One really enjoys the extensive Islamic mercy and extols Muslims’ charity, because most invocations by Muslims are general and universal and embrace all human beings from any race and mental attitude.

Are these interesting and extensive invocations not the signs of Islamic mercy and benevolence?

Does any fair and impartial man let himself introduce such a religion as the religion of violence?

References

1. Mizan ul-Hikmah, chapter 658, narration 3097 (Vol. II, p. 215)

2. Nur’uth-Thaqalayn, Vol. 5, p. 285, narration 49

3. Wasa’il ush-Shi’a, Vol. 11, p. 43

4. Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 42, p. 246 & 257

5. Nahjul Balaghah, letter 53

6. There are numerous narrations in this regard so that in Wasa’il ush-Shi’a, vol. 8, there are more than fifty rules in chapter “Rules for the Beast”.

7. According to the Holy Qur’an, we believe that the entire world is glorifying the Lord of World.

Chapter 4: Islamic Clemency and Mercy in the Practices of Religious Leaders

The practical manner, social behavior and associations of religious authorities and Islamic leaders and Imams are full of mercy, clemency and benevolence with their followers and with adversaries. Here are two examples:

Prophet’s (S) Clemency after Conquest of Mecca

The attitude of Prophet Muhammad (S) after the conquest of Mecca is a sample of this practical manner. We narrate in brief his attitude and then compare it with that of Western civilisation with their enemies after World War II.

Prophet Muhammad (S) was annoyed in Mecca thirteen years before his Hijra (immigration) to Medina because Mecca reminded him of the numerous pains, tragedies, a baseness, troubles and afflictions as his most obstinate enemies were in Mecca. However, when the Islam conquered Mecca, and Prophet (S) overcame those obstinate and stubborn enemies who caused all those calamities and problems, he pardoned all and extended Islamic mercy and absolution to all addressing them:

اذهبوا انتم الطلقاء

“You are free to go wherever you will!”

Even when he was informed that one of the Islam soldiers with a flag of Islam in his hand is chanting for revenge, he was provoked, and took the flag from the soldier, and chanted for peace and amity instead of revenge:

الیوم یوم الرحمه

“Today is the day of clemency and benevolence!”

On the other hand, when the allies’ soldiers entered capital of Germany (Berlin), they massacred the inhabitants, and committed numerous crimes. For instance, they threw up an infant and fired him before falling into the ground.

Now, a generation from the same heartless felons commits a new crime every day. A pen is ashamed to write these crimes and sometimes man could not tolerate to see or hear them.

Are we the people of violence or these uncivilised wrongly claiming for civilisation?

‘Ali (as) and Recommendations for his Slayer

Another sample is the attitude of Hazrat ‘Ali (as) with his killer, Abdur-Rahman Ibn Muljam Moradi.

Following the religious instructions, he was so kind and merciful that even his enemy who attempted to kill him was not deprived and excluded from his mercy. Recommendations by the kind Imam for his killer start from arresting him and continue till Imam’s death:

“My children! My slayer is just Ibn Muljam. Beware! Do not let the self-seekers and opportunists to unsheathe their swords and kill the innocent people with the excuse of cooperation with ‘Ali’s slayer for their own personal interests!

My dears! Give my slayer the same food you prepare for me!

My darlings! If I survive, I know what to do with him. If I die, you are authorised to retaliate, but as he struck me once with sword, you shall not exceed more than one!

O Children of Prophet! Do not mutilate him after death!”

These are ‘Ali’s (as) recommendations about his slayer when he was dying. Do you know any authority of any country throughout the world and during history to express such recommendations in favour of his slayer?

Is Islam whose Prophet’s successor is so kind and merciful, the religion of violence?