Feeling Empathy –
As the violence of the non-Muslims of Mecca against the socially weak Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, increased, the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, advised some of them to migrate to Ethiopia. He advised them that their king was a just man and they would not face persecution there. Several Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, departed, leaving behind their families, businesses and homes all for the sake of Allah, the Exalted. This has been discussed in Imam Ibn Kathir’s, the Life of the Prophet, Volume 2, Pages 1-2.
When a group from the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, were heading out of Mecca, Umar Ibn Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, who was still a non-Muslim at the time, questioned their activities. They told him they were leaving Mecca as they were fed up of him and the other non-Muslims who were constantly persecuting them. Instead of showing his typical harshness, Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, spoke some kind words which gave them the impression he would miss them. This has been discussed in Imam Muhammad As Sallaabee’s, Umar Ibn Al Khattab, His Life & Times, Volume 1, Pages 49-50.
Even though Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, was harsh with them yet his harshness was not rooted in evil rather, it was rooted in a misplaced loyalty to the non-Muslims of Mecca and their misguided ways. It seems, he only behaved the way he did as he desired his people to be united, as they were before the coming of Islam.
Generally speaking, having this type of empathy for others is an important aspect of Islam. It was most likely the first emotion which encouraged Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, to rethink his attitude towards Islam, as his behaviour was driving away his own people from their homes. Whereas, many of the other non-Muslims of Mecca were only concerned about protecting their way of life out of greed for wealth and authority and therefore, they rejoiced over the departing Companions, may Allah be pleased with them.
In a Hadith found in Sahih Muslim, number 6586, the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, declared that the Muslim nation is like one body. If any part of the body suffers pain the rest of the body shares in its pain.
This Hadith, like many others, indicates the importance of not becoming so self-absorbed into one’s own life thereby behaving as if the universe revolves around them and their problems. The Devil inspires a Muslim to focus so much on their own life and their problems that they lose focus on the bigger picture which leads to impatience and causes them to become heedless of others thereby failing their duty in supporting others according to their means. A Muslim should always bear this in mind and strive to aid others as much as they can. This extends to beyond financial help and includes all verbal and physical help such as good and sincere advice.
Muslims should regularly observe the news and those who are in difficult situations all over the world. This will inspire them to avoid becoming self-centered and instead aid others. In reality, the one who only cares about themself is lower in rank than an animal as even they care about their offspring. In fact, a Muslim should be better than animals by practically caring for others beyond their own family.
Even though a Muslim cannot remove all the problems of the world but they can play their part and help others according to their means as this is what Allah, the Exalted, commands and expects.
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