The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) demonstrated love and mercy for all, even toward his enemies. He symbolizes love and efficiency and a living model of mercy for mankind. He was sent by Allah as mercy personified for all living beings irrespective of creed, color, race, or status. Allah says in the Holy Quran:

Prophet Muhammad is a symbol of love & mercy for Mankind

وَمَآ اَرْسَلْنٰكَ اِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعٰلَمِيْنَ

“We sent you not but as a mercy for all creatures” (21:107)

Abu Hurairah reported that some people asked the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) to curse the polytheists. He replied:

“‏ إِنِّي لَمْ أُبْعَثْ لَعَّانًا وَإِنَّمَا بُعِثْتُ رَحْمَةً ‏”

I have not been sent as the invoker of the curse, but I have been sent as a mercy.” [Sahih Muslim: 2599]

Allah is Merciful

The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught others through his example to be kind and merciful. A companion of the Prophet (peace be upon him) reported him as saying:

“‏ لاَ يَرْحَمُ اللَّهُ مَنْ لاَ يَرْحَمُ النَّاسَ ‏”

“Allah will not be merciful to those who are not merciful to mankind.” [ Sahih Bukhari: 7376 ]

Another companion reported him as saying:

“The inhabitants of paradise are of three classes; and one of them is a man who is merciful and tendered-hearted to every relative and every Muslim.” [Sahih Muslim]

Abdullah bin Amr reported Allah’s messenger as saying:

الرَّاحِمُونَ يَرْحَمُهُمُ الرَّحْمَنُ ارْحَمُوا أَهْلَ الأَرْضِ يَرْحَمْكُمْ مَنْ فِي السَّمَاءِ ‏”

“The Compassionate One has mercy on those who are merciful. If you show mercy to those who are on the earth, He Who is in the heaven will show mercy to you.” [ Sunan Abi Dawood: 4941 ]

Ibne Abbas Reported:

“He does not belong to us who does not show mercy on our young ones and respect to our old ones.”

The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) is Rahmat, a symbol of mercy for all people even non-believers, hypocrites, and the Jews of Medina, those who tried to dishonor him and his religion and even plotted with his enemies to destroy the newly created state of Medina and kill its leader. But the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) showed mercy even to them and never treated them harshly.

At the time of the conquest of Makkah the mercy and forgiveness shown to the pagans is unparalleled in the history of the world. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his followers had been persecuted for thirteen years in Makkah, and the persecutors had ultimately compelled them to migrate to Madinah.

But when the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and his followers entered Makkah, they forgave every injury inflicted on them. A general pardon was granted. Such an example of compassion and forgiveness is rare in the history of the world.

The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) showed mercy to all and made no distinction between people. His love and compassion for everyone was beyond measure.