Islam and the Contemporary World

Islam and the Contemporary World

Compassion (Shafaqa) toward Creation as a Sufi Principle in Protecting the Environment (Living Beings)

Document Type : Original Research Article

Author
Researcher, International University of Islamic Denominations, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
This study explores the nature of compassion in Sufism and its influence on environmental protection, particularly concerning living beings. Lexically, shafaqa denotes mercy, tenderness, and concern about harm befalling others out of kindness. In Sufi terminology, it signifies a heartfelt gentleness toward others, accompanied by goodwill for all of God’s creation and a willingness to endure hardships for their well-being. Compassion is a central ethical and spiritual principle in Sufi teachings, extensively emphasized in primary sources. It has even been described as the moral trait of prophets and divine saints. Attaining elevated spiritual ranks is fundamentally contingent upon compassion for creation. Compassion is actively present across the sharīʿa (sacred law), ṭarīqa (spiritual path), and ḥaqīqa (ultimate reality), profoundly affecting spiritual seekers. Through self-purification from selfish desires and the cultivation of praiseworthy traits, one transcends self-centeredness and perceives all beings as part of oneself. Consequently, compassion, rooted in intuitive and mystical insight, allows the seeker to witness all existence in unity, and like the Divine, the seeker interacts with creation through kindness and care, protecting all beings. This perspective can inspire society toward constructive engagement with the environment and contribute to healing damaged ecosystems while addressing environmental crises. This qualitative study employs content analysis using the Clarke and Brown method, examining textual references related to compassion from classical Islamic mystical works spanning the 3rd to 11th centuries AH.
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