Today the topic of my discussion is Compassion in Islam originally

written by Asghar Ali Engineer. First of all let me tell you what
compassion is. Compassion is a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow
for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong
desire to alleviate the suffering. So what is the importance of
compassion in Islam?
In the Muslim tradition, foremost among Allah's attributes are mercy
and compassion or, in the canonical language of Arabic, Rah man and
Rahim. Each of Qurans 114 chapters, with the exception of 1, begins
with the invocation Bi Ism-i- Allah al-Rah man al-Rahim In the name of
ALLAH, the Compassionate, the Merciful are then compassion and
mercy not at the center of Islam? The article given to me relates to the
Charter of Compassion drafted by religious scholars and leaders
around the globe. The charter underlines that around the principle of
compassion lies at the heart of all religions, ethical and spiritual
traditions, calling us always to treat others as we wish to be treated
ourselves. But it is highly unfortunate that Islam today is known more
for jihad in the hand of those who kill and maim then mercy and
compassion. Is Islam responsible for the acts of such Muslims? A
handful of those indulging in terrorism today actually use Islam in
pursuit of power. Its tragic that West has mutilated the meaning of
Jihad and associated it with terrorism, so have they labeled the
freedom movements in Kashmir, Gaza or any other struggle by the
Muslim.
Here, i would like to state that Islam does not call for violence; rather it
detests all forms of violence and terrorism, whether against Muslims or
non-Muslims. The literal meaning of Jihad is struggle; struggle could
be for any morally and ethically acceptable goals and objectives. To
eliminate poverty, illiteracy, disease or any other evil can be termed as
Jihad. Islam, moreover, calls for peace, cooperation, and maintaining
justice, and provides for the happiness and welfare of humanity as a
whole. This fact is declared in the Qur'an when Allah says: "Allah
commands justice, the doing of good, and liberality to kith and kin, and
He forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion: He instructs
you, that ye may receive admonition." (An-Nahl: 90)

In the end I would like to conclude by saying that it is high time this
kind of jihad, which has got new lease of life with terrorism in action,
was corrected. There should be strong opposition and all sources
encouraging such bloodbath must stop. Though it is late but even now
ulema from the Islamic world must come out strongly in opposition to
such gross misuse of Islam today.