Allah the Almighty, Who introduces Himself to us as ar-Rahman (the Most Compassionate) and ar-Rahim (the Most Merciful), has encompassed all of creation with His mercy. As a manifestation of this mercy, He created humanity, elevating humans to a position of honor and appointing them as stewards of the Earth. Being a steward implies bearing responsibility toward all of creation. Consequently, humanity is obligated to approach all beings with a sense of trust, showing compassion and mercy in fulfilling this responsibility.
Throughout history, mercy has been regarded as a universal human value. Yet in our present age, we are witnessing its rapid withdrawal from every sphere of life. The void left by mercy, one of the most essential emotions in human existence, has been filled with negative sentiments such as violence, anger, and oppression, which are universally condemned by human conscience. This reality not only fosters isolation among individuals but also gives rise to profound conflicts between societies. This deeply troubling and thought provoking reality highlights that restoring social peace, harmony, and brotherhood depends on humanity reviving its sense of mercy and transforming it into a living value.
In this issue, we aim to draw attention to the profound role of compassion in addressing the greatest challenges of our time with the theme “The Need of Humanity: Peace and Mercy”. Our guest for this issue is Abdullah Eren, President of YTB, who emphasizes that spreading morality, compassion, and benevolence should be a fundamental duty for each of us. In the “Revert Stories” column, Ameena Blake shares the journey of her introduction to Islam in response to our questions. Meanwhile, in the “On the Footsteps of the Prophet” column, Prof. Dr. Eyup Bas explores “The Societal Structure and Balance Shift in Medina After the Hijrah”, detailing the system established by the Prophet (saw) in Medina following the Hijrah.
With the hope of building a future where peace and compassion prevail, beginning with Palestine and extending to every corner of the world, we proudly present our magazine to you, our esteemed readers.
Dr. Lamia LEVENT ABUL
