Adyghe Int. Sci. J. Vol. 25, No. 4. Pp. 156–165.
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.47928/1726-9946-2025-25-4-156-165
EDN: SXBDLO
PHILOSOPHY
| UDC 17 | Original Article |
The philosophy of mercy in islam:
idea and forms of manifestation
Agapov Evgeny Petrovich
doctor of philosophy, professor, professor of the department of philosophy and world religions, Don State Technical University (344003, Rostov-on-Don, Gagarin square, 1), ORCID: https: //orcid.org/0000-0001-6679-0138, march10@mail.ru
Pendyurina Lyudmila Petrovna
doctor of philosophy, associate professor, professor of the department of philosophy and world religions at the Don State Technical University (344003, Rostov-on-Don, Gagarin square, 1), full member of IAAS, ORCID: https: //orcid.org/0000-0002-8535-8751, prinpet@mail.ru
Abstract. The article is devoted to the consideration of the idea of mercy in Islam, as well as the practice of mercy in Islamic countries. The roots of the idea of mercy should be sought in the Pentateuch of Moses, the writing of which the Jewish tradition dates back to the 2nd millennium BC. This idea characterizes both God’s attitude toward people and the attitudes between people themselves. Although the idea of mercy arose in Judaism, it underwent certain changes in Christianity. If in Judaism the connection between mercy and love is not revealed, then in Christianity mercy is derived from the essence of God, which coincides with love. In Islam, God is omnipotent, as well as merciful and compassionate. The content of the verses of the Quran that deal with mercy, as well as the severity of the punishment for ignoring Allah’s calls to show mercy to people, indicate that its idea is not external to Islam, but is inherent in it. Failure to show compassion to those in need, which is a direct violation of Allah’s call to mercy, is identified in Islam with the denial of religion. Islam’s demands on its followers include confession, charity, prayer, pilgrimage and fasting. The article pays special attention to alms, which in Islam is inextricably linked with mercy. In Christianity, almsgiving is voluntary and, if possible, secret. Unlike Christianity, in Islam there are two types of charity. The first of them is obligatory charity, designated by the word “zakat and the second is voluntary charity, designated by the word “sadaqah”. Zakat is considered one of the pillars of Islam, and sadaqah is a pillar of piety, which is a quality of a person, which is based on the worship of God, as well as the fulfillment of religious and moral precepts. The forms of manifestation of mercy in Islam should include not only the distribution of obligatory and voluntary charity, but also the activities of mystical Muslim brotherhoods.
Keywords: Arab-Muslim tradition, Islam, the idea of mercy, Pentateuch of Moses, Christianity, Christian teaching about love and mercy, alms, zakat, sadaqah, dervishes.
Funding. The work was not carried out within the framework of funds.
Competing interests. There are no conflicts of interest regarding authorship and publication.
Contribution and Responsibility. All authors contributed to this article. Authors are solely responsible for providing the final version of the article in print. The final version of the manuscript was approved by all authors.
For citation. Agapov E. P., Pendyurina L. P. The philosophy of mercy in islam: idea and forms of manifestation. Adyghe Int. Sci. J. 2025. Vol. 25, No. 4. Pp. 156–165. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47928/1726-9946-2025-25-4-156-165; EDN: SXBDLO
Submitted 14.04.2025; approved after reviewing 07.10.2025; accepted for publication 14.10.2025.
© Agapov E.P.,
Pendyurina L.P., 2025
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