“And We Have Certainly Honoured the Children of Adam (Q-17:70)”

– Yusra Firdous

In a world increasingly divided by materialism, injustice, and indifference, the very soul of humanity seems at risk. Ehsaas – the deep awareness, empathy, and compassion for others, is not just a noble ideal, it is the essence of being human. In the Islamic worldview, restoring humanity begins with restoring hearts, for a heart filled with mercy reflects the mercy of Allah.

Ehsaas at the Core of Islam

The Qur’an begins every chapter (except one) with the phrase: “In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.” (Qur’an 1:1) This constant reminder signifies that mercy is the foundation of faith.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ declared:

“The Most Merciful shows mercy to those who are merciful. Be merciful to those on earth, and the One above the heavens will have mercy upon you.” (Tirmidhi, Hadith 1924)

This establishes that compassion is not peripheral but central to Islam. Ehsaas is not mere sentiment, it is an obligation that connects our relationship with Allah to our treatment of His creation.

Restoring Humanity through Justice and Compassion

The Qur’an commands believers:

“Indeed, Allah commands justice, and excellence, and giving to relatives, and forbids immorality, bad conduct, and oppression.” (Qur’an 16:90)

Justice (‘adl) ensures fairness, while ihsan (excellence) calls us to rise above fairness and act with generosity. This dual principle builds a society where dignity is preserved.

The Prophet ﷺ warned against indifference:

“He is not a believer who spends the night satiated while his neighbour to his side is hungry.” (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith 23408)

Examples of Ehsaas in Daily Life

Restoring humanity does not always require monumental actions. Islam teaches us that even the smallest gestures matter:

Smile as Charity: “Do not belittle any good deed, even meeting your brother with a cheerful face.” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2626)

In Islam, even the simplest act of kindness is elevated to the level of worship when done sincerely for the sake of Allah. A smile carries no cost, yet it brings warmth, spreads joy, and strengthens bonds of brotherhood and gains rewards. It reflects a believer’s compassion and mercy, qualities that Allah loves.

Kind Speech: “And speak to people with good [words].” (Qur’an 2:83)

Islam emphasises speaking kindly to others. Allah ﷻ commands this in the Qur’an. A believer’s tongue should be a source of comfort, not harm. Harsh words can break hearts, while gentle speech can heal and uplift. Kind words are also a form of charity. They carry immense weight in the sight of Allah, for they spread peace, remove bitterness, and nurture love among people.

Respect for Neighbours: “Gabriel kept recommending treating neighbours kindly until I thought he would order me to treat them as heirs.” (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 6014; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2625)

This shows the high-status neighbours hold in Islam. Being good to neighbours includes showing kindness, sharing food, offering help in times of need, and refraining from causing any harm or disturbance. The Prophet ﷺ even linked faith to how one treats their neighbours, saying: “He is not a believer whose neighbour is not safe from his harm.” Thus, respect, care, and compassion towards neighbours are not optional, they are part of the very essence of iman (faith).

Mercy to Animals: The Prophet said of a woman who gave water to a thirsty dog: “Allah thanked her for that deed and forgave her.” (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 3467; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2245)

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught that mercy extends to all creatures. He mentioned the story of a woman who was forgiven by Allah for giving water to a thirsty dog, showing that even a small act of kindness can earn Allah’s mercy. At the same time, the Prophet ﷺ warned of severe punishment for cruelty, as in the case of a woman who starved a cat. Thus Islam, makes kindness to animals a reflection of true faith and righteousness, reminding us that every act of compassion is rewarded by Allah.

These acts, small as they may seem, are seeds of compassion that restore humanity. The steep path is not comfort, but sacrifice for others.

Our times are marked by wars, refugee crises, and economic inequalities. The Qur’an addresses this directly: “And what will make you know the path that is steep? It is to free a slave, or to feed on a day of hunger, an orphan near of kin, or a poor person in misery.” (Qur’an 90:12–16)

Thus, Ehsaas means carrying the burdens of the oppressed, giving dignity to the displaced, and sharing sustenance with the deprived.

Restoring Humanity in the Modern Age

One of the greatest challenges of our era is apathy. The Qur’an warns against hardened hearts:

“Then your hearts became hardened after that, being like stones or even harder. For indeed, there are stones from which rivers burst forth, and there are some of them that split open and water comes out, and there are some of them that fall down for fear of Allah.” (Qur’an 2:74)

A hardened heart is the death of humanity. Restoring Ehsaas requires softening our hearts through dhikr, prayer, and acts of service.

Another modern challenge is consumerism and selfishness. The Qur’an offers the cure:

“You will never attain righteousness until you spend from that which you love. And whatever you spend, indeed Allah is Knowing of it.” (Qur’an 3:92)

Giving, whether wealth, time, or effort – is how we revive compassion within ourselves and within society.

Ehsaas transcends religious boundaries, reminding us that humanity itself is a sacred trust. The Qur’an says: “O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another.” (Qur’an 49:13).

Islam envisions a world where diversity fosters peace, not division. The Prophet upheld this by respecting people of other faiths, honouring treaties, and showing kindness to all. In the spirit of Ehsaas, restoring humanity means building bridges of understanding, promoting harmony among faiths, and working together for justice and compassion that unite, not divide, our world.

A Call to Restore Humanity

The Prophet ﷺ embodied the highest form of Ehsaas. He wept for his Ummah, prayed for his enemies, and lived as “a mercy to the worlds” (Qur’an 21:107). Following his example, restoring humanity is not optional; it is our mission which is to feel, to care and to act.

Let Ehsaas – Restoring Humanity, be a way of life:

• By reviving mercy in our homes and communities;
• By standing against injustice and oppression; and
• By uplifting the poor, caring for the orphans, respecting our neighbours, and protecting our environment.

Every act of kindness, every word of gentleness, and every stand for justice is a brick in rebuilding the lost edifice of humanity. Ehsaas is light in the midst of darkness. It is through compassion, mercy, and justice that we can restore humanity and fulfil the purpose for which we were created – to be servants of Allah and caretakers of His creation.

For when hearts awaken with Ehsaas, the world itself begins to heal – and in that healing lies the true reflection of divine mercy upon earth.