'A'isha, verily Allah is kind and He loves kindness and confers upon kindness which he does not confer upon severity and does not confer upon anything else besides it (kindness).
Hadith Commentary
This noble hadith from Sahih Muslim 2593, transmitted by the Mother of Believers 'A'isha (may Allah be pleased with her), reveals profound wisdom regarding the divine attribute of kindness. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) establishes that Allah Himself possesses the quality of kindness in its perfect form, and thus loves this characteristic in His creation.
Divine Kindness
When the Messenger states "Allah is kind," he affirms that gentleness, mercy, and benevolence are inherent to the Divine Essence. This kindness manifests in Allah's gradual guidance of His servants, His acceptance of repentance, and His postponement of punishment despite human transgressions.
Scholars explain that Allah's kindness (rifq) encompasses His gentle dealing with creation, His facilitation of matters for believers, and His patient forbearance with human shortcomings. This divine quality should inspire Muslims to cultivate similar characteristics in their own conduct.
The Excellence of Kindness
The phrase "confers upon kindness which he does not confer upon severity" indicates that acts performed with gentleness achieve what harshness cannot accomplish. Historical accounts show that the Prophet's gentle approach to calling people to Islam yielded greater results than forceful methods.
Islamic jurisprudence teaches that kindness should permeate all interactions: with family, neighbors, business transactions, and even with animals. The reward for kindness extends beyond the immediate act, earning divine blessings that harshness cannot secure.
Practical Application
This hadith guides Muslims to replace harshness with gentleness in da'wah (inviting to Islam), child-rearing, spousal relations, and community affairs. Scholars emphasize that kindness does not mean compromising religious principles, but rather presenting truth with wisdom and beautiful preaching.
The concluding phrase "does not confer upon anything else besides it" underscores the unique status of kindness among virtuous traits. While other qualities have merit, kindness holds a special place in attracting divine favor and blessings in both worldly and spiritual matters.