DAYAA (compassion)
Literally, Dayaa means to have compassion for others or to show mercy to others or to express sympathy with others etc.
It is a quality every Sikh must grow/inculcate in him.
In Sikh idiom, Dayaa is a Divine quality.
Dayaa is not born out of non-violence. Its source is generosity, justice and service of mankind.
A Sikh should be helpful to the needy person. It is a duty of a Sikh to nurse those who are suffering. It is a part of a Sikh’s culture to defend the week. This is not born out of pity or mercy. It is based on the philosophy of Dayaa Dharam (Righteousness), justice and humanism.
A Sikh must not be aggressor, offender or autocrat.
In case of a tyrant or a cruel person, no compassion may be shown. Compassion, pity, mercy are meant only for innocent persons:
The spoken truth has to be acceptable only if one receives the true teaching.
He takes mercy upon beings and gives donation.
(Guru Granth Sahib, p.468)
Truth, fasting, contentedness, sacred places, knowledge, concentration, bath are (considered important);
But (real) important are those persons whose god is mercy and ornament is forgiveness.
(Guru Granth Sahib, p.1245)
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)