How often we resort to harsh behavior with our fellow people. Islam has stressed on forbearance while dealing with people. To be kind, easy-going and helping is very much valued in Islamic teachings. Muhammad Ali Al-Hashimi explains this in his book The Ideal Muslim: The Muslim who understands his religion is tolerant in his dealings with people, because he knows that there is nothing like tolerance for the good man in this world and the next. His gentle attitude opens the way to people's hearts, and endears him to them, and it also earns him Allah's pleasure, forgiveness and mercy. This is what is stated clearly in the teachings of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “May Allah have mercy on the tolerant man, when he buys, when he sells, and when he demands payment.” (Al-Bukhari) Abu Mas'ud Al-Ansari narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “A man from those who were before you was brought to account and no goodness was found in him, except that he was a man who used to mix with people; he was rich, and he used to order his employees to let off the one who was in difficulty. Allah said: ‘We should be even more tolerant than him, so let him off.'” (Sahih Muslim) How heavy such attitude will weigh in the balance, and how much will man need it on that great and terrible Day of Judgment.
