He ﷺ was humble and gentle toward the believers, lowering his wing for them and greeting them with cheerfulness, love, compassion, and kindness—such were his noble traits.

Allah enumerated five qualities of this Messenger ﷺ:

1. He is “from among you.”
2. “Your suffering is grievous to him.”
3. He is “eager for your welfare.”
4. He is “compassionate toward the believers.”
5. He is “merciful.”

These five attributes belong to this Prophet ﷺ, and he reserved tenderness and mercy for the believers. For he ﷺ was stern with the idolaters and the stubborn, growing indignant whenever Allah’s limits were transgressed, as the Almighty said: “O Prophet, strive against the disbelievers and the hypocrites and be harsh with them; their abode is Hell—what an evil destination!” (Q 9:73).

Thus mercy and compassion are specific to the believers, and believers treat one another in the same way: “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and those who are with him are strong against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves” (Q 48:29). Such are his characteristics, ﷺ.