About being kind...

Of all treatments, the one I find the hardest to handle is kindness! I am easily touched by acts of kindness I received from others.
And I have been at the receiving end of so many acts of kindness every where I have been, from all sort of people, even from those against whom I have sinned through my words and deeds!

With the rough and tough, I often choose not to fuss. The rude and prude are simply matters of attitude. The envious and dubious are best handled by ourselves being generous. But, when people are being kind, it can be heard by the deaf and seen by the blind! The test really is on us.....to notice, remember, and be grateful for those thoughts and deeds of kindness!

But what about it when I was the one being rough and tough, or being rude and prude! I was just that a couple of days ago.....and it was all because someone failed to deliver his promise! But why was I so worked up! I paused to reflect tonight, regretted my act and wished I had been more tolerant and dealt with him more kindly! Oh well, I am learning.....help me God!

Islam is very clear about kindness........there are numerous phrases in the Holy Al Qur'an which ask us to be kind in dealing with not only humans but all creations.
There are also a complete guides from books of Hadith for us to learn and emulate. The prophet clearly told us to be kind, regardless whether or not the person deserves our kindness.

Among the greatest act of kindness to others is to treat them according to the teachings of Islam. This include being truthful with them, respecting them, being patient with them, saying kind words to them and treating them the way one will like to be treated.

In the Quran, Allah says,

“And the (faithful) slaves of the Most Gracious (Allaah) are those who walk on the earth in humility and sedateness, and when the foolish address them (with bad words) they reply back with mild words of gentleness.”

(Al-Furqaan 25:63)

‘Uqbah bin ‘Aamir narrated that the Messenger of Allaah said, “O ‘Uqbah! Shall I not tell you of the best conduct of this world and the Hereafter? It is to join the tie of kinship with one who severs it, to give him who deprives you and to forgive him who does wrong to you.” (Ahmad and Al-Haakim)

The Messenger of Allah also said, “I have seen a man moving about in Paradise simply as a result of a harmful tree which he removed from people’s way.” (Muslim)

The Messenger of Allaah said, “While a man was walking on a road. He became very thirsty. Then he came across a well, got down into it, drank (of its water) and then came out. Meanwhile he saw a dog panting and licking mud because of excessive thirst. The man said to himself "This dog is suffering from the same state of thirst as I did. " So he went down the well (again) and filled his shoe (with water) and held it in his mouth and watered the dog. Allah thanked him for that deed and forgave him." The people asked, "O Allah's Apostle! Is there a reward for us in serving the animals?" He said, "(Yes) There is a reward for serving any animate (living being).” (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim)

The Prophet also said, “Any man who grows a tree or plants a plant and then a bird or a human being eats from it, it will be counted as charity in his credit.”

Sekian Tazkirah pagi Jumaat minggu ini! Wallah hu Aklam.

Kepada semua Jemaah Haji yang telah selamat menjalankan Ibadah Haji - Mabruk! Semoga mendapat Haji yang Mambrur.......and selamat pulang kepada keluarga tersayang.

Kepada keluarga, sahabat handai dan kenalan yang telah berbudi dan 'being kind' to my family and I, kami mengucapkan ribuan terima-kasih semoga Allah jua yang membalas budi dan jasa tuan2 dan puan2!

Peringatan kepada anak-anak saya dan juga diri saya sendiri, to be kind to our parents is not a choice but is mandated by Islam.