Compassion is to have mercy with one another due to the brotherhood of faith, nothing else. Endearment is affirming ties which bring about love, like visiting one another and giving gifts. As for affection, it is to help one another, just as one does `atf of a cloak on oneself to strengthen one. Love is that which is brought about through inherent disposition as well as wisdom, both of them. Endearment is solely brought about through one’s disposition.

❖ Allah, exalted, says, “Repel evil with what is better and your enemy will become as close as an old and valued friend.” (Fussilat: 34)
❖ He also says, exalted, “Another of His signs is that He created spouses from among yourselves for you to live with in tranquility: He ordained love and mercy between you. There truly are signs in this for those who reflect.” (al-Rum: 21) Meaning, He ordained marital relations between you as a means of love that you exercise endearment through, and maintain ties between one another due to.
❖ He, exalted, also says, “Surely, the Lord of Mercy will give love to those who believe and do righteous deeds.” (Maryam: 96) Meaning, he will love them and place love for them among the believers. [148] Tafsir Mujahid (p. 459).
❖ Al-Nu`man ibn Bashir, Allah be pleased with them both, said, “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, ‘The example of the believers in their endearment, compassion, and affection to one another is that of a body. If a part of it is in distress, the rest of the body is feverish and unable to rest.’” [149] Reported by al-Bukhari (6011) and Muslim (2586), and the wording is his.
❖ Abu Hurayrah, Allah be pleased with him, narrates that a man said, “Messenger of Allah, I have family with whom I try to maintain ties, but they cut them off with me. I am beneficent to them, but they are maleficent with me. I am forbearing with them, and they are ignorant in treating me.” He ﷺ replied, “If they are as you said, then it is like you are throwing hot ashes at them. Allah will remain as your supporter as long as you remain upon what you are doing.” [150] Reported by Muslim (2558).

❖ Al-Hasan said, “Appreciation is half of gain, endearment is half of rationality, and asking well is half of knowledge.” [151] al-Bayan wa al-Tabyin, al-Jahiz (2/65).
❖ Maymun ibn Mihran said, “Decency is being bright-faced, endearing to people, and fulfilling their needs.” [152] Muru’ah, Ibn Razban (p. 70).

2- Endearment and strengthening ties of affection among people is the basis for building a strong society founded on aiding and caring for one another. 

3- Endearment reflects spiritual beauty and virtuous morality which Islam came to perfect and emphasise. 

4- Endearment to people and gaining their love and trust facilitates their accepting what you give and call towards with ease and relatively less effort. 

5- Endearment is a way to remove animosity and hate, leading to pure hearts.

Forms of endearment to people:
1- Good morals with pleasantness is the key to people’s hearts and what incites their love. 

9- Revering the old, and being compassionate with the young.

Barriers to acquiring endearment to people:
1- Arrogance and haughtiness. 

Examples of endearment from the life of the Prophet ﷺ, Companions, righteous predecessors, and scholars:
❖ He ﷺ would be endearing to his companions and supplicating for them. Jarir, Allah be pleased with him, said, “The Prophet ﷺ never made a barrier between him and me since I became Muslim. He never saw me but he smiled at me. I complained to him once that I am unable to be firm in horse riding, so he struck my chest and said, “Allah, keep him firm, and make him guided, a guide for others.” [153] Reported by al-Bukhari (3035, 3036) and this is his wording, as well as Muslim (2475).
❖ The companions were also keen to be characterised with this attribute - that they are loved by the people - like when Abu Hurayrah came to the Prophet ﷺ asking him to supplicate to Allah for him and his mother that they become beloved to the believers, and the believers are made beloved to them. Abu Hurayrah, Allah be pleased with him, said, “I said, ‘Messenger of Allah, supplicate to Allah for me and my mother that he makes us beloved to the believers, and makes the believers beloved to us.’ The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, ‘Allah, make this young slave of yours - meaning, Abu Hurayrah - and his mother beloved to Your believing slaves, and make the believers beloved to them.’ Since then, there was not a believer that Allah created who hears about me except that he loved me.” [154] Reported by Muslim (2391).
❖ Ibn Kathir said in his biography of Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah, Allah have mercy upon him, “He used to be well-read with good character, very endearing, not harming anyone nor envying them. He did not mock or hate anyone.” [155] al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah, Ibn Kathir (14/270).
❖ It is found in the biography of Muhammad ibn Ibrahim ibn `Abd al-Rahman al-Sulami al-Munawi, then al-Qahiri, that: “He was very endearing to the people, held in high regards among them generally and specifically, beloved to them.” [156] Inba’ al-Ghumr bi-Abna’ al-`Umr, Ibn Hajar (2/181).

❖ It was said to `Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, “What did you gain in this kingship of yours?” He replied, “The endearment of men.” [157] Adab al-Dunya wa al-Din, al-Mawardi (p. 181).
❖ It is narrated that Luqman said to his son, “My son, be endearing to the people, for endearment to them is security, and being hostile to them is fear.” [158] Nathr al-Durr fi al-Muhadarat, al-Abi (7/11).

❖ Muhammad ibn Ibrahim al-Ya`muri said,
“Preserve good morals for yourself and distinguish
Through it the hidden among ugliness and beauty.
If your wealth is too little to give your companion,
Then meet him pleasantly, whenever you meet.” [159] Rawdat al-`Uqala’, Ibn Hibban al-Busti (p. 64).