He replied, “It is a cheerful countenance, extending kindness, and refraining from causing harm.” (1)

74 – Chapter on Forbearance, Deliberation, and Gentleness

Allah the Exalted says: “Those who restrain their anger and pardon people—Allah loves those who do good.” (Āl ʿImrān 3:134)

He also says: “Show forgiveness, enjoin what is right, and turn away from the ignorant.” (Al-Aʿrāf 7:199)

And He says: “Good and evil are not equal. Repel [evil] with that which is better; then the one between whom and you there was enmity will become as though he were a close friend. (2) Yet none is granted it except those who are patient, and none is granted it except one who possesses a great share [of virtue].” (Fussilat 41:34–35)

And He says: “Indeed, whoever is patient and forgives—surely that is from the matters requiring firm resolve.” (Ash-Shūrā 42:43)

637 – Ibn ʿAbbās (may Allah be pleased with them both) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to Al-Ashajj ʿAbd al-Qays, “You possess two qualities that Allah loves: forbearance and deliberateness.” (3) Narrated by Muslim.

638 – ʿĀʾishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Allah is Gentle and loves gentleness in every matter.” Agreed upon.

639 – She also reported that the Prophet ﷺ said, “Allah is Gentle; He loves gentleness, and He grants for gentleness what He does not grant for harshness (4) nor for anything else.” Narrated by Muslim.

640 – She further reported that the Prophet ﷺ said, “Gentleness is not present in anything without adorning it, and it is not removed from anything without disgracing it.” Narrated by Muslim.