horrific punishment.

O devotees of the noble Prophet! It is deeply regrettable that today causing harm to Muslims is considered something trivial. People inflict pain upon others without any hesitation or fear. Some people harm others through tale-bearing, foul language, usurping wealth, unleashing anger for no reason, mockery, taunting, violating others’ self-respect in the name of “pranks”, making videos viral on social media, and in countless other ways.

What is worse is that many feel pleased after hurting others. They consider themselves brave, and regard deceiving others as intelligence. Such people neither move towards repentance nor think about their Hereafter.

Committing a sin is one matter, but if one at least becomes ashamed afterwards, that too is something meaningful. Unfortunately, people hurt others and do not feel remorse; they do not even consider apologising. Instead, they rejoice over it! If only we developed respect for Muslims in our hearts, and learned to honour our Muslim brothers. Islam gives great importance to peace, harmony, brotherhood, and love. Those who harm this Islamic brotherhood, hurt their Muslim brothers, or violate their dignity are evil people.

The Sign of a Good and Bad Person

Once, the noble Messenger صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said to the blessed Companions رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهُم, “Shall I not inform you of the good and evil among you?”

A man replied: “Yes, O Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, inform us of the good and evil among us.”

He said: “The best of you is the one whose goodness is hoped for, and people are safe from his evil. The worst of you is he whose goodness is not hoped for, and people are not safe from his evil.”^[1]

The summary of the commentary of this Hadith is that the person whose behaviour gives others peace of mind, whom people trust not to harm anyone, and who looks after the welfare of others as much as they can, is truly good.