THE ATTITUDE OF GENTLENESS

Adopting the teachings of Islam helps a person develop a temperament characterized by gentleness and kindness. These teachings instill the understanding that God is great (Allahu Akbar). This awareness leads a person to recognize that greatness belongs only to God, not to themselves. As a result, a natural sense of humility and modesty develops within them.

However, an essential condition for maintaining gentleness is the possession of exceptional patience. In the modern world, it is inevitable to encounter unpleasant behaviour from others time and again. Therefore, only those who can resist the urge to react to such negativity are able to preserve their gentleness. This is why the Quran describes those who are mindful of God as people who “restrain their anger and forgive others” (3:134).

There is a narration in both Bukhari and Muslim in which the Prophet of Islam said, “God is gentle, and He loves gentleness in all matters” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 6927). Similarly, it is reported that he said, “God is gentle and loves gentleness. He gives through gentleness what He does not give through harshness or anything else” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 2593). Another narration states, “Anyone who is deprived of gentleness is deprived of all goodness” (Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith No. 4809).

If you approach others with arrogance, you will provoke their egos, which will only worsen the situation. If you were previously met with harsh words, you may now have to endure even more severe treatment, such as being insulted. In contrast, if you approach people with gentleness, your behaviour will awaken their conscience. The situation will reverse: someone who was once an opponent may forget their hostility and become a close friend.

Gentleness is a quality found in successful individuals, whereas arrogance is a characteristic of those who fail.