Jazaka Allahu Khairan for your valuable words on Rahma, all very true. But, i feel scholars need to put more effort in explaining the hadeeth and concept of “forbidding the wrong by hand - tongue and heart” and how to handle disagreement with a fellow muslim, and that with a non-muslim, in light of the global environment we live in. This hadeeth has been instilled and imprinted in the souls of muslims as a sign to the strength or weakness of their faith.
May Allah give you tawfiq.

Ameen. Thanks for your comment. We actually are offering a new 6-week minicourse this fall on the issue you brought up titled: “Finding the Straight Path: Maintaining Identity without Extremism”.

Here is a brief description:
In this six-week course, gain clarity amidst the confusion through surveying the major currents in contemporary Muslim discourse; understanding the issues that distinguish each current; coming to a conclusion about each of these issues; and then dealing with those who disagree with you in the light of the merciful example of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and give him peace.

was salaam,
Besim

Yes, this is a very good point. It reduces itself down to this: It is a duty to command the good; but it is also a duty to do so in a manner that is good. “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should say the good or remain silent,” the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said.

“The good,” is that which is likely to have good consequences, as Imam Nawawi (Allah have mercy on him) and others note.

This hadith also relates to actions, by way of the indication of the text (dilalat al-nass).

And Allah alone gives success.

Faraz Rabbani

One angle that I would like to see addressed is harshness within the bounds of the shariah in relation to mercy.

There are clear instances where the prophet (may Allah’s peach and blessings be upon him) was justifiably “harsh” (e.g. in war).

Is mercy the general principle to live by (you mostly answered this in your post)? Should/Can any of the acts of Rasul (SAS) be considered harsh? Were these “harsh” actions actually a way of showing mercy?

Anwar Al-Awlaki touches on this topic briefly in some of his series.

I think it would be worth expounding upon further.

And Allah Knows Best

May Allah grant us his mercy and forgiveness this Ramadan!

Al hum dulillah! I agree with your point. Love and Forgiveness will earn us Allaah’s (swt) blessing in Dunia as well as in Akhira.
If the Merciful are quaranteed Allaah’s Mercy what more do we need.
I sometimes feel that we try too hard to achieve a particular goal and get frustrated when we don’t make it. I think sometimes we forget “Allaah swt is always in control of everything” and his plan will be played out exactly as wishes. If all of us believers returned to the sunnah the world will be a lot more peaceful. But that’s not how I am. I would not pass a single opportunity to lie and cheat my own brothers and sisters to gain only a little of this Duniya. Yet I claim to eat only HALAL and I’m a proud UMMAH. Yet when Allaah swt punishes me to guide me, I complain of being abandoned. Go figure brothers. What should happen to me in Duniya and Aakhira.
Please pray for me and my types that we wake before it’s too late.
Qamar
Vancouver, Canada.