For more stories, check Islamic Short Stories for Little Ones and Short Islamic Stories (Part 2).
Short Islamic Story 1 – Compassion in Islam
Anas ibn Malik
In Madinah, children played under the warm sun, while merchants displayed their goods in the nearby market. Among this bustling environment, was Anas ibn Malik رضي الله عنه, a young Sahabi of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (and Al-Baraa’ ibn Malik‘s brother). Anas ibn Malik had been blessed with the honour of serving the Prophet ﷺ for ten years! During all those years, the Prophet ﷺ never scolded him, not even once.
One day, the Prophet ﷺ asked Anas ibn Malik to complete a small task. He told him to run an important errand. Anas agreed eagerly. He felt a sense of importance as he held the coins tightly in his hand, determined to complete the errand without delay. On the way, he saw a group of boys playing a lively game. Understably, same as for all the little ones, temptation was too strong. He stopped, forgetting about his errand and joined them for a bit.
Time passed as they played and raced in the dusty street. Suddenly, a gentle hand rested on Anas’ shoulder. He turned around to find the smiling face of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. There was no anger or disappointment in his eyes, only warmth and compassion.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ spoke kindly, using an affectionate nickname: “Ya Unays (O little Anas), did you go where I sent you?” Anas ibn Malik, flustered, replied, “Yes, I am going now, O Messenger of Allah.”
Even at the time where Anas ibn Malik made a mistake, porphet Muhammad’s calm words and gentle reminder made Anas ibn Malik feel valued and loved. He understood what he had to do and off he went!
The Lesson of Rahma (Compassion)
Anas ibn Malik often reflected on how the Prophet ﷺ treated him. “I served the Prophet ﷺ for ten years,” he would tell others later in life, “and not once did he say to me, ‘Uff’ (a mild rebuke), nor did he ever say to me concerning anything I had done, ‘Why did you do that?’ nor concerning anything I had not done, ‘Why didn’t you do that?’”. The Prophet’s compassion left a mark on Anas’ heart. He learned that true leadership and kindness are shown through patience and understanding.
Prophet Muhammad said “The merciful will be shown mercy by the Most Merciful. Be merciful to those on earth, and the One above the heavens will have mercy upon you.”
Short Islamic Story 2 – Compassion in Islam
The Kind Man and The Thirsty Dog
On a very sunny afternoon, a man was walking through the hot desert. The extremely hot weather made everything dry and everyone thirsty. As he walked through the desert, his feet felt tired, and his mouth was parched from thirst.
Finally, he found a well. He leaned over, filled his hands with cool water, and drank until he felt refreshed. With a thankful heart, he sat down to rest by the well. Just then, he noticed a dog nearby. The dog’s tongue hung out, and it was panting heavily. It sniffed around the edge of the well, desperately looking for water, but it couldn’t reach down far enough to drink.
The man watched the poor animal struggle. “This dog is as thirsty as I was,” he thought. His heart filled with compassion.
He looked around and saw no bucket or rope to fetch water. So he climbed back into the well, filled his shoe with water. He had to grab the shoe steadily with his teeth as he and carefully carried it up to the surgace. Gently, he placed the shoe on the ground for the dog to drink.
The dog drank up the water quickly and it was filled with gratitude. The man smiled, feeling happy that he had helped the thirsty creature.
The Reward of Compassion in Islam
Do you know what happened next? Allah, the Most Merciful, forgave all the man’s sins because of this simple act of kindness! Prophet Muhammad told us this story so that we know the importance of kindness and compassion in Islam no matter how small the act of compassion is.
Short Islamic Story 3 – Compassion in Islam
The Secret Letter
It was a tense time in Madinah as the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ prepared for the Conquest of Makkah. To ensure success, secrecy was critical. Every precaution was taken. However, Jibreel عليه السلام came down to deliver an important message to prophet Muhammad ﷺ: there has been a breach of this secrecy! A trusted ٍsahabi had betrayed the plan but who was it? A letter has been sent to Quraysh, warning them of the Prophet’s ﷺ intentions.
The Prophet ﷺ immediately dispatched Ali, Zubair, and Miqdad رضي الله عنهم with a mission. “Go to the garden of Khakh,” he instructed. “There you will find a woman carrying a letter. Bring it to me.”
The Woman with the Hidden Letter
The companions rode swiftly, following Jibreel’s guidance. When they reached the garden of Khakh, they saw the woman just as described. Ali رضي الله عنه approached her. “Hand over the letter,” he commanded.
The woman pretending innocence said: “I have no letter”
Ali رضي الله عنه responded firmly, “By Allah, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ never lies, and neither do we. If you do not give it, we will search you thoroughly!”
Realising she had no choice, she turned aside, untied her hair, and produced a hidden letter. The companions took it back to Madinah.
A Shocking Betrayal
The letter revealed a serious breach of trust—it was from Hatib ibn Abi Balta’ah رضي الله عنه, a companion known for his bravery at Battles of Badr and Khaybar. He had written to Quraysh, revealing the Prophet’s ﷺ secret plan.
The Prophet ﷺ called Hatib to explain himself. Umar ibn al-Khattab رضي الله عنه, filled with anger, exclaimed, “O Messenger of Allah ﷺ, let me strike the neck of this hypocrite!”
A Compassionate Leader Listens
Hatib رضي الله عنه spoke sincerely, “O Messenger of Allah ﷺ, I did not do this out of disbelief or betrayal. I am not from Quraysh, and I have no powerful family in Makkah. I hoped that by sending this letter, I could protect my relatives there. My faith in Islam has never changed.”
The Prophet ﷺ, always merciful and compassionate, considered his words. He reminded Umar رضي الله عنه, “Hatib fought in the Battle of Badr. And how do you know, perhaps Allah has looked upon the people of Badr and said, ‘Do as you wish, for I have forgiven you.’”
A Divine Reminder
Soon after, Allah revealed a verse from Surah Al-Mumtahanah (60:1):
“O you who have believed, do not take My enemies and your enemies as allies, extending to them affection while they have disbelieved in what came to you of the truth And whoever does it among you has certainly strayed from the soundness of the way.”
The Power of Forgiveness
Despite the gravity of Hatib’s mistake, Allah and his Messenger ﷺ forgave him. This act of compassion left a profound lesson: True leadership lies in mercy and understanding. Even when errors are serious, sincerity and repentance open the doors to forgiveness.
Allah’s mercy is infinite, and His forgiveness is available to all who seek it. The story of Hatib ibn Abi Balta’ah رضي الله عنه reminds us that compassion can heal hearts and strengthen bonds of faith.
What does Islam Say About Compassion?
Compassion in Islam is not limited to kindness toward humans. It extends to animals and the environment. Islam emphasizes compassion as a core value. The names of Allah include Ar-Rahman (The Most Compassionate) and Ar-Raheem (The Most Merciful), highlights mercy as a divine attribute. Muslims are encouraged to show kindness to all of creation. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Allah will not show mercy to him who is not merciful to people” (Sahih al-Bukhari).
How Can We Be Compassionate?
Just as the Prophet ﷺ demonstrated compassion with Anas and others, this story teaches us that kindness is a cornerstone of strong character and leadership. By having Rahma (mercy or compassion), we reflect the mercy of Allah in our interactions. Here are some ways:
- Be Patient with Others: If someone makes a mistake, forgive them and offer gentle guidance rather than harsh words.
- Help Those in Need: As much as possible, share food, clothes, or kind words with those around you. Always starting with family and friends.
- Show Kindness to Animals: Feed stray animals, keep water outside for birds, and treat pets with care.
- Respect the Environment: Avoid wasting resources like water and electricity. Alhmdulillah there are many ways Allah has enabled us to show mercy and compassion to everyone and everything around us.
Deepen Your Connection to the Source of Compassion.
These stories of compassion are a beautiful introduction to Islamic values. But the Quran’s linguistic miracle and its comprehensive guidance go far beyond individual narratives.
If you’re ready to move beyond stories and start understanding the Divine Text itself, our 28-Day Quranic Arabic Course provides the structured foundation. You will systematically learn the grammar and vocabulary that unlocks:
- The legal reasoning (Ahkam) behind Islamic rulings.
- The linguistic precision (Balagha) in stories of the prophets.
- The theological depth (Aqeedah) in the descriptions of Allah.
- The historical context (Asbabun Nuzul) of revelation.
This isn’t just about feeling the words; it’s about comprehending the entire message.