The Light of the Holy Qur'an — Page 133
T H e J O u r NA l—F AT e H M A S IH T H e J O u r NA l—F AT e H M A S IH 133 to it is that the holy word of God, the Holy Qur’an, instructs us to be extremely compassionate towards them, in the same way as a kind-hearted person shows compassion towards the leper, the blind, the handicapped, etc. , all those who are suffering. The difference between compassion and love is that in love a person beholds all the words and actions of the beloved as admirable and desires that all those qualities should develop in his own person as well. A compassionate person, on the other hand, beholds the condition of the person he feels compassion for as a source of fear and warning, and is worried lest the latter should die in that pitiable state. It is the sign of a truly compassionate person that he does not always treat the pitiable person with gentleness, but takes appropriate action concerning him as dictated by the need of the time and circumstance—at times being gentle and at times being strict. At times he gives him an elixir to drink, and at others he deems, like an experienced surgeon, amputation of his hand or foot necessary to save his life. Sometimes he gives an incision, and sometimes he applies some balm. If you were to observe the work- ing of an experienced and competent doctor on a given day in a major hospital where hundreds of patients come with all kinds of ailments, I hope you will understand the meaning of being com- passionate. Thus, the teachings of the Qur’an give us exactly the same lesson, that you should love the pious and the righteous, and be compassionate towards sinners and non-believers. Allah, the Exalted, says: