Islamic Center of Irvine

24: Kindness - The Symbol of a Caring Heart

Surely, Allah is kind and loves kindness in everything
[Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)]

Need for Kindness

In a materialistic era; a world seemingly indifferent to caring about others, where ego and selfishness dominates; where war and oppression are daily headlines; there is a greater need for kindness than ever before. If we consider that you can accomplish by kindness what you cannot do by force [Publius Syrus, a brilliant ancient Roman slave actor], that kindness gives birth to kindness [Ancient Greek philosopher, Sophocles] we realize the possibility suggested by the great Persian poet, Sheikh Sa'di Shirazi who said, He who plants kindness harvests love.

An old Sufi tradition advises us to speak only after our words have managed to pass through four gates. At the first gate, we ask ourselves, "Are these words true?" If so, we let them pass on; if not, back they go. At the second gate we ask; "Are they necessary?" At the third gate we ask; "Are they beneficial?" and at the fourth gate, we ask, "Are they kind?" If the answer to any of these is no, then what you are about to say should be left unsaid.

According to the Mishnah, the world stands upon three things: upon the Law, upon worship, and upon showing kindness.

Kindness is an inner desire that makes us want to do good things even if we do not get anything in return. It is the joy of our life to do them. When we do good things from this inner desire, there is kindness in everything we think, say, want and do. [17th century Swedish scientist, Emmanuel Swedenborg.] In fact, kindness is the most difficult thing to give away, for it is usually returned.

Wisdom & Strength of Kindness

When Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) cried at the funeral of his son and when he kissed his grandchildren, Bedouin Arabs unaccustomed to such public display of affection considered these acts unmanly. Little did they realize that tenderness and kindness are not signs of weakness and despair but manifestations of strength and resolution. [The Maronite Lebanese poet Khalil Gibran] The gentleness that accompanies kindness is most admirable indeed for kindness is tenderness, kindness is love, kindness is good will. Kindness desires others to be happy. Jean Jacques Rousseau [French Philosopher] therefore asked: What wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness?

Kindness is priceless

Showing kindness is amongst the most rewarding and fulfilling acts one can engage in.
Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness [Ancient Roman Philosopher, Seneca].
If instead of a gem, or even a flower, we should cast the gift of a loving thought into the heart of a person, that would be giving as the angels give [George MacDonald, Scottish poet].
The ideals which have lighted my way, and time after time have given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been Kindness, Beauty, and Truth. The trite subjects of human efforts, possessions, outward success, luxury have always seemed to me contemptible [Scientist, Albert Einstein].
Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile [Mother Teresa].
You have not lived a perfect day...unless you have done something for someone who will never be able to repay you [Huminitarian, Ruth Smeltzer].

Every Little Bit Counts

Hadrat 'Ali said, Showing love to people is the height of intelligence.
Practicing daily acts of kindness is an essential element of fruitful living.
Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless [Mother Teresa].
Every expression of kindness has meaning, in fact, a warm smile is the universal language of kindness [American author, William Arthur Ward].
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around [Author, Leo Buscaglia].
The best portion of a good man's life are his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love [English Poet, William Wordsworth].

Kindness reaches Everybody

Kindness has a positive effect on everybody and everyone can benefit from it.
Kindness is a language which the dumb can speak, the deaf can understand [Author, C.N. Bovee].
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) once reprimanded someone for mistreating an animal and said that Allah rewards kindness towards every living thing.
Each human being has thus the responsibility to see if you can stretch your heart and expand your love so that it touches not only those to whom you can give it easily, but also to those who need it so much [Psychology author, Daphne Rose Kingma].
Remember that Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness and kindness in giving creates love [Ancient Chinese Philosopher, Lao Tzu].

Recompense with Kindness for soon it may be too late

I expect to pass through this world but once; any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again [French Quaker, Stephen Grellet]. So let us ...

Forgive injuries, but never forget kindnesses [Confucius]
One can pay back a loan of gold, but one lies forever in debt to those who are kind [Malaysian proverb]
Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness [Confucius]
In the midst of global crises such as pollution, wars and famine, kindness may too easily be dismissed as a "soft issue" or a luxury to be addressed after the urgent problems are solved. But kindness is the greatest need in all those areas ... toward the environment, toward other nations, toward the needs of people who are suffering. Until we reflect kindness in everything we do, our political gestures will be fleeting and fragile. Simple kindness may be the most vital key to the riddle of how human beings can live with each other in peace, and care properly for this planet we all share [Bo Lozoff, Human Kindness Foundation]
Though it may seem that your kindness is not always appreciated ...

it does indeed have an impact every time. The less it seems to be appreciated, the more it is needed, and the more of a positive difference it can make.

Kindness is not something that becomes depleted when it is used. The more true, unconditional kindness you offer, the more you will have to offer, and the more there will be for everyone.

Genuine kindness is not an act of weakness or capitulation, but rather a powerful demonstration of confidence in your purpose ...

Kindness does not mean allowing others to take advantage of you or of anyone else. Kindness means doing what you know is right and creating real, substantial, lasting value for those around you.

Live and act with kindness, and the value of each action is multiplied many, many times over. Live with kindness and you live with the power to make a difference in every life you touch.

[Ralph Marston , Australian motivational speaker]
Be conscious of the fact that you can not do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late. [American writer and philosopher, Ralph Waldo Emerson]

Allah promises in the Qur'an that goodness and kindness begets kindness and goodness: Those who act kindly in this world will have kindness and goodness [Qur'an 39.10].

Kindness always

Let your understanding, your thoughts and your actions be inspired by kindness.

Believe nothing merely because you have been told it...Do not believe what your teacher tells you merely out of respect for the teacher. But whatsoever, after due examination and analysis, you find to be kind, beneficial, conducive to goodness and to the welfare of all beings -- that doctrine believe and cling to, and take it as your guide [Buddha].
If you can sit at set of sun, and count the deeds that you have done, and counting find, one self-denying act, one word that eased the heart of him that hurt, one glance most kind which fell like sunshine where he went; then you may count that day well spent [British poet, Robert Browning].
The aim is to live in such a way that you let each act of life be a flower and fashion your life as a garland of beautiful deeds [Buddha]

Note well that kindness is always fashionable [Amelia E. Barr], and if kindness has no effect on the recipient, it at least benefits the bestower; so kindness is never wasted. In fact, no act of kindness is ever wasted [Aesop]. There is nothing more comforting, more gratifying for a conscientious soul than knowing that through a kind word, a helpful act, a cheerful smile you made someone's burden a little lighter, a day little brighter or situation a little more pleasant. Kindness is indeed a most noble quality, a characteristic of the Supreme Being. The Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said: Allah is kind and loves kindness in every matter.