Al-Ghazali said of compassion in religion, which is absent from those who regard being unduly strict is a form of piety, “Compassion is blessed, and its opposite is violence and acridity. Violence is produced by anger and rudeness, while kindness and softness are produced by good character. Kindness is the fruit of good character, and the character is not improved except by controlling the power of anger and lust and keeping them at moderate levels. For this reason, the Prophet (PBUH) extolled and emphasised compassion.