Respected gentlemen!
In the last Friday sermon, we clarified this reality in the light of the Quran and Hadith that Islam is a religion of mercy. One major reason for this is that the One who revealed this religion is Allah, the Most Merciful of the merciful, and the other is that the great personality through whom this religion was conveyed to humanity is the Mercy to the worlds. In the previous sermon, we specifically explained the meaning of the Most Merciful of the merciful and some aspects of Allah’s mercy.
In today’s topic, we will discuss the other aspect of this subject, that is, the Mercy to the worlds ﷺ in detail and clarify how the Holy Prophet ﷺ is a complete mercy for the entire universe.
The Holy Prophet ﷺ is the Mercy to the Worlds
When Allah Almighty Himself is the Most Merciful of the merciful, He made the last book and the last Shariah, which were conveyed to the world through a certain personality, also a mercy for the worlds. Thus, the person of the Holy Prophet ﷺ is entirely mercy; you ﷺ were sent with the religion of mercy, you ﷺ are Compassionate and Merciful, and you were sent as a mercy from Allah Almighty for the entire world.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿ وَمَآ اَرْسَلْنٰكَ اِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعٰلَمِيْنَ ﴾
Translation:
“And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.”
Dear brothers!
By reflecting on this blessed verse, several very important points emerge:
➊ The word (رَحْمَةً) is indefinite and comes after the negation (وَمَا أَرْسَلْنٰكَ), which indicates generality and inclusiveness. This means that the mercy of the Prophet ﷺ is not limited to humans only but extends to the entire universe.
You ﷺ are a mercy for humans, for jinn, for believers, for disbelievers, for the young, for the old, for the righteous, and for the wicked; even for animals and inanimate things, your ﷺ existence is mercy.
➋ In this verse, the style of (وَمَا … إِلَّا) is for exclusivity, meaning that your ﷺ mission from beginning to end is entirely mercy. There is no aspect of your ﷺ prophethood that is devoid of mercy.
➌ The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ being a mercy to the worlds is not the result of any human effort or training but is a status granted by Allah Almighty. Allah Almighty made you ﷺ soft-hearted, compassionate, and kind through His mercy.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿ فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِّنَ اللّٰهِ لِنْتَ لَهُمْ ﴾
Translation:
“This is by the mercy of Allah that you have been made gentle towards them.”
The Holy Prophet ﷺ himself expressed this reality in these words:
( يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ! إِنَّمَا أَنَا رَحْمَةٌ مُّهْدَاةٌ )
Translation:
“O people! I am indeed a mercy sent as a gift.”
The Holy Prophet ﷺ is especially very kind to the believers
Although the Holy Prophet ﷺ is a mercy for the entire universe, his compassion and kindness towards the people of faith are even more pronounced.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿ لَقَدْ جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مِّنْ أَنْفُسِكُمْ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيْهِ مَا عَنِتُّمْ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيْكُمْ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَؤُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴾
Translation:
“There has come to you a Messenger from among yourselves; grievous to him is what you suffer; he is deeply concerned for your welfare and is compassionate and merciful towards the believers.”
This is why the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ treated the Companions with great gentleness and compassion. Hazrat Malik bin Hawairith رضي الله عنه narrates that a few young Companions came to serve the Prophet ﷺ and stayed with him for about twenty nights. When the Prophet ﷺ sensed that they wished to meet their families, he said with great kindness:
( اِرْجِعُوا إِلَى أَهْلِيكُمْ فَعَلِّمُوهُمْ وَمُرُوهُمْ، وَصَلُّوا كَمَا رَأَيْتُمُونِي أُصَلِّي … )
Translation:
“Go back to your families, teach them, inform them about the commands of religion, and pray as you have seen me praying.”
This incident is a clear indication that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was very kind-hearted, compassionate, and understanding of the needs of the Ummah.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the Prophet of Mercy
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was the embodiment of mercy, so much so that this reality is evident even in His blessed names. Hazrat Abu Musa Ash’ari رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ mentioned several of His names, some of which we remember and some we have forgotten. He ﷺ said:
( أَنَا مُحَمَّدٌ، وَأَحْمَدُ، وَالْمُقَفِّي، وَالْحَاشِرُ، وَنَبِيُّ التَّوْبَةِ، وَنَبِيُّ الرَّحْمَةِ )
Translation:
“I am Muhammad, Ahmad, Al-Muqaffi (the one who comes after all the prophets), Al-Hashir (the gatherer of people), Nabi al-Tawbah (the Prophet of repentance), and Nabi al-Rahmah (the Prophet of mercy).”
This hadith clearly indicates that mercy is the fundamental attribute of the Prophethood of the Noble Prophet ﷺ.
Some prominent aspects of the mercy of the Noble Prophet ﷺ
➊ The Noble Prophet ﷺ was extremely compassionate towards his Ummah
Earlier prophets, peace be upon them, when they became disappointed with their peoples, sometimes cursed them or disassociated themselves from them.
For example, Hazrat Nuh عليه السلام said:
﴿ رَبِّ لَا تَذَرْ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ مِنَ الْكَافِرِينَ دَيَّارًا ﴾
Translation:
“O my Lord! Do not leave any disbeliever on the earth.”
Similarly, Hazrat Musa عليه السلام said regarding the disobedience of Bani Israel:
﴿ رَبِّ إِنِّي لَا أَمْلِكُ إِلَّا نَفْسِي وَأَخِي فَافْرُقْ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ الْقَوْمِ الْفَاسِقِينَ ﴾
“O my Lord! I have no control over anyone except myself and my brother, so judge between us and this disobedient people.”
But the matter of the Mercy to the Worlds ﷺ was completely different.
When the people of Ta’if had beaten you ﷺ severely and Angel Jibra’il (Gabriel) offered to destroy them through the angels of the mountains, you ﷺ said:
( بَلْ أَرْجُو أَنْ يُخْرِجَ اللّٰهُ مِنْ أَصْلَابِهِمْ مَنْ يَعْبُدُ اللّٰهَ وَحْدَهُ )
Translation:
“No, rather I hope that Allah will produce from their descendants those who will worship none but Him alone.”
Not only this, but you ﷺ continuously prayed for your people:
( اَللّٰهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِقَوْمِي فَإِنَّهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ )
“O Allah! Forgive my people, for they do not know.”
➋ The Noble Prophet ﷺ used to weep and pray for the Ummah
Hazrat Abdullah bin Amr bin As رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ recited the verses containing the prayers of Hazrat Ibrahim (Abraham) عليه السلام and Hazrat Isa (Jesus) عليه السلام, then remembering his Ummah, he began to weep and said:
( اَللّٰهُمَّ أُمَّتِي، أُمَّتِي )
“O Allah! My Ummah, my Ummah!”
Allah Almighty said through Hazrat Jibra’il (AS):
( إِنَّا سَنُرْضِيكَ فِي أُمَّتِكَ وَلَا نَسُوْءُكَ )
Translation:
“We will satisfy you concerning your nation and will not make you grieved.”
➌ The Prophet ﷺ kept his prayer reserved for the Ummah
The Prophet ﷺ said:
( لِكُلِّ نَبِيٍّ دَعْوَةٌ مُسْتَجَابَةٌ … وَإِنِّي اخْتَبَأْتُ دَعْوَتِي شَفَاعَةً لِأُمَّتِي يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ )
Translation:
“Every prophet has an accepted prayer, but I have reserved my prayer for the intercession of my Ummah on the Day of Judgment.”
➍ The Prophet ﷺ completed and clarified the religion for the Ummah
The Prophet ﷺ said:
( مَا بَقِيَ شَيْءٌ يُقَرِّبُ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ وَيُبَاعِدُ مِنَ النَّارِ إِلَّا وَقَدْ بُيِّنَ لَكُمْ )
“There is nothing left that brings one closer to Paradise and distances one from Hellfire except that it has been made clear to you.”
And on the occasion of the Farewell Pilgrimage, the Companions (RA) testified:
( نَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ قَدْ بَلَّغْتَ وَأَدَّيْتَ وَنَصَحْتَ )
“We testify that you have conveyed (the message of Allah), fulfilled the trust, and given full advice.”
➌ Rahmatul lil ‘Alameen ﷺ disliked hardship for the Ummah
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ did not prefer actions for his Ummah that would cause them hardship and difficulty. He ﷺ favored ease, convenience, and moderation for the Ummah.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿ لَقَدْ جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مِّنْ أَنْفُسِكُمْ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيْهِ مَا عَنِتُّمْ ﴾
Translation:
“A Messenger has come to you from among yourselves; grievous to him is what you suffer.”
This mercy and compassion is evident when the Noble Prophet ﷺ led the companions in congregational Taraweeh prayers for a few nights during Ramadan, and then did not attend on the fourth night. After Fajr prayer, he said:
( أَمَّا بَعْدُ، فَإِنَّهُ لَمْ يَخْفَ عَلَيَّ مَكَانُكُمْ، وَلَكِنِّي خَشِيتُ أَنْ تُفْرَضَ عَلَيْكُمْ فَتَعْجِزُوا عَنْهَا )
Translation:
“I knew you were present, but I feared that this prayer might become obligatory upon you and then you would be unable to perform it.”
Similarly, he ﷺ said:
( لَوْلَا أَنْ أَشُقَّ عَلَى أُمَّتِي لَأَمَرْتُهُمْ بِالسِّوَاكِ عِنْدَ كُلِّ صَلَاةٍ )
Translation:
“If I did not fear hardship for my Ummah, I would have commanded them to use the miswak at every prayer.”
➍ The Noble Prophet ﷺ preferred ease and disliked hardship
The Holy Prophet ﷺ presented the religion in an easy manner and advised the Ummah to avoid severity, extremism, and hardship.
When you ﷺ sent Hazrat Muadh bin Jabal رضي الله عنه and Hazrat Abu Musa Ash’ari رضي الله عنه towards Yemen, you said:
( يَسِّرَا وَلَا تُعَسِّرَا، وَبَشِّرَا وَلَا تُنَفِّرَا، وَتَطَاوَعَا وَلَا تَخْتَلِفَا )
Translation:
“Make things easy for the people, do not make things difficult, give glad tidings, do not cause hatred, and do not create discord among yourselves.”
Similarly, you ﷺ said:
( إِنَّ الدِّينَ يُسْرٌ، وَلَنْ يُشَادَّ الدِّينَ أَحَدٌ إِلَّا غَلَبَهُ )
Translation:
“Indeed, the religion is easy, and whoever makes the religion difficult, it will overpower him.”
And you said:
( إِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَمْ يَبْعَثْنِي مُعَنِّتًا وَلَا مُتَعَنِّتًا، وَلَكِنْ بَعَثَنِي مُعَلِّمًا مُيَسِّرًا )
Translation:
“Allah has not sent me to cause hardship, but to teach and make things easy.”
➎ The Noble Prophet ﷺ was deeply concerned for the guidance of the Ummah
The Holy Prophet ﷺ was very eager for the salvation and well-being of his Ummah, and he felt great sorrow and grief even for those who did not accept faith.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيْكُمْ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَؤُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴾
“They are very compassionate towards you, and very kind to the believers, most merciful.”
And He said:
﴿ فَلَعَلَّكَ بَاخِعٌ نَّفْسَكَ عَلَىٰ آثَارِهِمْ إِن لَّمْ يُؤْمِنُوا بِهَٰذَا الْحَدِيثِ أَسَفًا ﴾
Translation:
“Perhaps you would kill yourself in grief because they do not believe in this Qur’an.”
These verses are clear evidence of how deeply concerned and sorrowful the Prophet ﷺ was for the guidance of the Ummah.
➏ Rahmatul-lil-Alameen ﷺ were a safety for the Ummah
Allah Almighty made the Prophet ﷺ a safety for the Ummah. Previous nations were destroyed by devastating punishments, but the Ummah of Muhammad was protected from such collective punishment.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿ وَمَا كَانَ اللّٰهُ لِيُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَأَنْتَ فِيهِمْ وَمَا كَانَ اللّٰهُ مُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَهُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ ﴾
Translation:
“Allah will not punish them while you are among them, nor will He punish them while they seek forgiveness.”
From this verse it is understood that:
➊ The blessed person of the Prophet ﷺ was a safety for the Ummah.
➋ After you ﷺ, seeking forgiveness is a safety for the Ummah.
Rahmatul-lil-Alameen ﷺ were mercy for the Companions (RA)
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was a complete mercy for his companions, the noble Sahabah, may Allah be pleased with them. He ﷺ lived among them closely, and his lifestyle was like that of ordinary people. His sitting, standing, eating, drinking, coming, and going were all based on simplicity. There was neither a doorman nor a guard. Whoever among the Sahabah wanted to meet him ﷺ could do so at any time without any hindrance.
He ﷺ never let them feel that he was superior to them, even though in reality he was the best among all humans. That is why he ﷺ would forbid the Sahabah from standing up for him and would prevent them from exaggerating in his praise.
He ﷺ would also joke with them, eat and drink with them, and always keep himself close to them.
Kindness and Compassion with the Sahabah
➊ You ﷺ used to pray for the companions, visit their sick, lead the funeral prayers for the deceased, and participate in their burial.
➋ Whatever came to you ﷺ, you would distribute it among the companions and endure hunger yourself.
➌ You cooperated with the companions in good deeds and consoled them.
➍ You forbade hardship in religion and said:
( عَلَيْكُمْ مِنَ الْأَعْمَالِ مَا تُطِيقُونَ )
“Do only those deeds which you are capable of.”
➎ You yourself participated in battles alongside the companions, did not leave them alone, and earnestly prayed to Allah for victory and help.
➏ If any companion made a mistake, you neither were harsh, nor cursed, nor insulted, but corrected with gentleness and love, and sought excuses for them.
Mercy to the Worlds ﷺ were a mercy for the women of Islam
The Holy Prophet ﷺ was the greatest protector and well-wisher of the rights of women.
➊ You ﷺ advised good treatment of women and commanded men to fear Allah regarding them.
He explained the rights of every relationship — mother, daughter, wife, and sister — and especially declared the mother most deserving of the best treatment.
➋ You ﷺ showed great affection towards your daughters, loved and treated your pure wives with kindness, helped with household chores, and took them along on journeys.
➌ You forbade beating women, commanded justice among wives, and said:
( خِيَارُكُمْ خِيَارُكُمْ لِنِسَائِهِمْ )
“The best among you is the one who is best to his wives.”
➍ You took into account the natural weaknesses and necessities of women and maintained good conduct with them even during specific days.
Mercy to the Worlds ﷺ was a mercy for children
The Noble Prophet ﷺ used to show extraordinary love and affection towards children.
➊ He used to kiss children, hold them in his lap, carry them on his shoulders, and even lift them during prayer.
➋ If a child urinated in his lap, he would not scold but would ask for water and clean the cloth.
➌ He did not harshly reprimand children for their mistakes but corrected them with love.
➍ He prayed for children, gave them blessings, and when they were sick, he prayed for their healing.
➎ When he met children on the way, he would greet them.
➏ When he heard children crying during prayer, he would make the prayer lighter.
➐ He taught children correct beliefs, Islamic manners, and religious rulings.
Mercy for Orphans, the Needy, and the Weak
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was also a mercy for orphans, widows, slaves, maidservants, the poor, and the needy.
He repeatedly emphasized fulfilling their rights, spending on them, and treating them kindly, and he described the great reward and blessings for doing so.
Mercy to the Worlds ﷺ Also a Mercy to Animals
The mercy of the Noble Prophet ﷺ was not limited to humans only; animals also benefited from it.
➊ He commanded kindness towards animals and forbade cruelty to them.
➋ He advised their owners to fear Allah regarding the animals.
➌ He forbade placing burdens heavier than their strength and commanded to feed and water them.
➍ He narrated about a woman who went to Hell for imprisoning a cat and starving it.
➎ He commanded using a sharp knife and giving rest when slaughtering animals.
➏ He forbade sharpening the knife in front of the animal.
➐ He forbade disturbing birds from their nests, torturing animals, cursing them, and targeting them.
Rahmatul Lil Aalameen ﷺ was a mercy even for the disbelievers
It is absolutely clear from the Quran, Hadith, and the Seerah of the Prophet ﷺ that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was a mercy not only for Muslims but also for the disbelievers.
➊ Refusal to destroy the people of Makkah
When the people of Ta’if severely tortured the Prophet ﷺ, leaving him bloodied, Angel Jibril (Gabriel) offered through the angels of the mountains that if you ﷺ wish, these people can be crushed between two mountains.
But the Mercy to the Worlds ﷺ said:
( بَلْ أَرْجُو أَنْ يُخْرِجَ اللّٰهُ مِنْ أَصْلَابِهِمْ مَنْ يَعْبُدُ اللّٰهَ وَحْدَهُ )
“No, rather I hope that Allah will raise from their descendants those who will worship none but Allah.”
➋ Prayer for guidance instead of curse for the disbelievers
When it was said to you ﷺ that the tribe of Daws is not accepting Islam, and you should curse them, you ﷺ said:
( اَللّٰهُمَّ اهْدِ دَوْسًا وَائْتِ بِهِمْ )
“O Allah! Guide the tribe of Daws and bring them to me.”
➌ Forgiveness despite being wounded in Uhud
In the Battle of Uhud, the disbelievers wounded the Prophet ﷺ, his noble face was bloodied, yet even in that condition you ﷺ were saying:
( اَللّٰهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِقَوْمِي فَإِنَّهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ )
“O Allah! Forgive my people, for they do not know.”
➍ General forgiveness on the occasion of the conquest of Makkah
On the day of the conquest of Makkah, when all your enemies were powerless before you ﷺ, you ﷺ did not order a massacre but said:
( اِذْهَبُوا فَأَنْتُمُ الطُّلَقَاءُ )
“Go! You are all free.”
This declaration is clear evidence that the Holy Prophet ﷺ was not thirsty for the blood of his enemies but desired their guidance.
➎ Forgiveness despite murderous plots
Those who conspired to kill the Holy Prophet ﷺ, you ﷺ did not take revenge on them either.
The woman who poisoned, Labid bin A’sam (the sorcerer) — all were forgiven.
➏ Observance of ethics even in wars
You ﷺ forbade the killing of women, children, and non-combatants in wars.
You emphasized the protection of the rights of those under your responsibility and strictly forbade killing those under treaty.
If the Prophet ﷺ was mercy for the worlds, then why were there wars?
Some people raise this question as an objection, although clear and rational answers exist.
➊ Fighting was only for defense
Allah Almighty said:
﴿ وَقَاتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللّٰهِ الَّذِينَ يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ وَلَا تَعْتَدُوا ﴾
“Fight those who fight you, but do not transgress.”
The purpose of fighting was to end oppression and prevent discord, not to forcibly convert people to Islam.
➋ Fighting is not the primary objective in Islam
The primary objective is the invitation to Islam.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ instructed the warriors to first invite to Islam, then impose jizya (tax), and only as a last resort, fight.
When sending Hazrat Ali رضي الله عنه to Khyber, he said:
( فَوَاللّٰهِ لَأَنْ يَهْدِيَ اللّٰهُ بِكَ رَجُلًا وَاحِدًا خَيْرٌ لَكَ مِنْ حُمُرِ النَّعَمِ )
“By Allah! If Allah guides one person through you, it is better than red camels.”
➌ Islam did not spread by the sword
During the thirteen years in Mecca, neither was the sword raised nor was there fighting; rather, Muslims themselves were oppressed.
The Islamic state in Medina was also established without weapons — this proves that Islam spread through invitation and ethics.
➍ Casualties in battles were extremely low
In the 27 battles led by the Prophet ﷺ, the number of killed disbelievers was very low, whereas in modern wars millions have been killed.
Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Palestine — Muslims are not responsible for these atrocities.
True terrorism is that which is still being inflicted on innocent women, children, and civilians today.
Conclusion
Allah, the Most Merciful of the merciful, through the Mercy to the Worlds ﷺ, bestowed upon humanity a religion that is entirely a religion of mercy.
There is no place for oppression, extremism, or terrorism in Islam.
Those who associate Islam with violence are either ignorant or malicious.
May Allah grant us the ability to understand, adopt, and convey this religion of mercy to the world.
Ameen, O Lord of the Worlds.
