Rafed English
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It is related of the Prophet that he said: 'On the Day of Resurrection a herald will call out: 'Whoever's reward is with God then let him enter Paradise.' It will be asked: 'Whose reward is with God?' It will be answered: 'Those who forgave the people, for they will enter Paradise without being held to account.' 222

He would encourage mercy in general saying: 'Those who show mercy will be shown mercy by The Merciful One on the Day of Resurrection. Show mercy to those on Earth and He who is in the heavens will show mercy to you.' 223

Once al-Aqra! Ibn H{"bis saw the Apostle of God kissing his grandsons al-H{asan and al-H{usayn the sons of Imam Ali ibn AbY ?alib. Al-Aqra! Said: 'I have ten children and I have never kissed any of them ever.' The Apostle of God became angry and his colour flushed and he said to al-Aqra!: 'He who shows no mercy shall not be shown mercy. If you have torn all mercy from your own heart then what can I do for you? He who shows no mercy to the children or no respect to the elders is not one of us.' 224

He also said: 'Be to the orphans like a merciful father and know that whatever you sow so shall you reap.' 225 The noble Prophet said: 'When I was taken upon my heavenly night journey I saw some people into whose bellies fire was being cast and it was exiting from their behinds. I said: 'Who are they O Gabriel?' He said: 'They are ethose who consume the property of the orphans unjustly. 226 227 He also said: 'I and the person who takes care of orphans will be [as close as] these two [fingers] (and he indicated with his index and middle fingers) in Paradise as long as he fears Almighty God.' 228 It is related that Abdull"h ibn Mas!Yd said: 'The Apostle of God said: 'Whoever gently strokes the head of an orphan will have a light on the Day of Resurrection for every hair that his hand passes over.' 229

Regarding forgiveness he said: 'Whoever forgives a wrong, God will give him honour in this world and the next.' 230 He also said: 'When anger raises its head dispel it with forgiveness, for a herald will call out on the Day of Resurrection: 'Let those whose reward is with God stand!' Then none shall stand but those who were forgiving. Have you not heard God's words:

eAnd whoever forgives and sets things to rights then his reward will be with God. 231 232 He also said: 'The virtue of us Ahl al-Bayt is to forgive those who wrong us, and to give to those who withhold from us.' 233

He also said: 'Forgiveness is most appropriate from the person who is most able to retaliate.' 234 He also said: 'God loves kindness and assists those who are kind. So if you ride upon a lean beast then let it stop at its feeding stations. And if the land is arid then escape on it, and if the land is fertile then let it stop at its feeding stations.' 235

Notes:

222. majma! al-bay"n; vol.9, p.34.

223. bihar al-anwar; vol.74, chap.7, p.167, 9ad:th 4.

224. man"qib "l ab: U"lib; vol.3, p.384.

225. bihar al-anwar; vol.74, chap.7, p.171.

226. The Holy Qur'an: The Women (4): 10.

227. bihar al-anwar, vol. 76, chap.103, p 267, 9ad:th 2.

228. tafs:r nYr al-thaqalayn; vol.5, p.597, 9ad:th 23, Qum edition.

229. ibid. 9ad:th 22.

230. al-am"l: of al-?Ys:; vol.1, p.185.

231. The Holy Qur'an: Consultation (42): 40.

232. bihar al-anwar; vol.74, chap.7, p.180, 9ad:th 16.

233. ibid. p 141.

234. ma!"n: al-akhb"r; p.196.

235. al-k"f:; vol.2, p.120, 9ad:th 12.

Adopted from the book : "The Prophet Muhammad; a Mercy to the World" by : "Ayatullah Muhammad Sadiq al-Shirazi"