The Most Merciful shows Mercy to those who have Mercy on Others

The Prophet (sala Allahu `alihi was-Salaam) once kissed Al-Hasan
Ibn `Alee (i.e. his grandson) while Al-Aqra’ Ibn Haabis was in his
presence. So Al-Aqra’ said to him: “ You kiss your children. I swear
by Allah, I have ten children and I never kissed any one of them!”
So the Prophet (sala Allahu `alihi was-Salaam) said: “He who doesn’t
show mercy (to others) will not be shown mercy (by Allah).”
Verily, mercy – in our religion – encompasses this world and the
hereafter, as well as mankind, animals, birds, and the surrounding
habitats.

Allah says:

“And My mercy encompasses every thing.”

Allah has described Himself with mercy and He has also described His
prophets and righteous servants with it. Allah says:

Allah has made his sending forth of the Prophet (sala Allahu `alihi
was-Salaam) as a mercy to all of creation, as He says:

“Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah (sala Allahu `alihi was-Salaam) and those who are with him are severe against the disbelievers and merciful to one another.”

The word “worlds” (`aalameen) is general and thus includes the world
of the humans, the world of the jinn, the world of the animals and
the world of the birds, as well as the nations found on land and the
nations found on sea.

And indeed Allah has commanded that mercy be applied to every thing
and in every action. So even when you slaughter your sacrificial
animal, you show mercy to it by saying Bismillaah and by sharpening
your sword (so that it will be a quick and painless death). The
Prophet (sala Allahu `alihi was-Salaam) said:

“And We have not sent you (O Muhammad) except as a mercy to the worlds.”

“ “Verily Allah has prescribed Ihsaan (goodness) for everything. So when you slaughter, then slaughter in a good manner, and when you kill (in war), then kill in a good manner. And let each of you sharpen his blade and let him spare the animal he slaughters from suffering.”

And Allah indeed forgave one prostitute from the Jews who showed
mercy to a dog that was dying from thirst. She filled her shoe with
water and then taking hold of the dog’s mouth, she gave it the water
to drink. So Allah was thankful to her for what she did and forgave
her sins.

And once our Prophet (sala Allahu `alihi was-Salaam) saw one of his
Companions grab the baby of a lark, and it began screeching over the
heads of the Companions. So he (sala Allahu `alihi was-Salaam)
said: “Who bereaved this (lark) of her child? Return her children
back to her!”

The more weak and poor a human being is, the more required we are of
showing mercy to him. And being gentle with him is what is most
incumbent. This is why our Lord has forbidden us from oppressing the
orphan. Allah says: “Therefore, treat not the orphan with
oppression. And do not repel the beggar.”

The Prophet (sala Allahu `alihi was-Salaam) said:

“ “The person that looks after and supports the widow and the needy one is like the mujaahid (one who makes Jihaad) in the Cause of Allah.”

And he (sala Allahu `alihi was-Salaam) would rub the head of the
orphan and say:

“ “I and the guardian of an orphan will be like this in Paradise – and he SAWS gestured with his index and middle finger.”

Indeed he (sala Allahu `alihi was-Salaam) commanded us to take care
of the children and the women and the elders. Thus, in his last words
to his Companions and his nation, he said:

“ “The prayer and what your right hands possess.” “Take good care of the women (i.e. wives).”

And
he (sala Allahu `alihi was-Salaam) said:

“ “The best of you is the best to his wives. And I am the best amongst you with my wives.”

Mercy is something innate, which Allah has placed into the hearts of
(all) His creatures, even the lions – the most dangerous of them –
for they are merciful to their children. Yet Allah is more merciful
to His creation than a mother is to her child. That is why on the day
that He created mercy, He created one hundred parts to it. And He
left ninety-nine parts with Him, by which He will show mercy to His
servants on the Day of Judgement, and sent down one single part of
mercy to earth, which humans and animals share amongst themselves.

The Messenger of Allah (sala Allahu `alihi was-Salaam) has condemned
the person that is void of any mercy and who doesn’t attain a large
amount of it. This is why he (sala Allahu `alihi was-Salaam)
condemned the one who breaks family ties. He (sala Allahu `alihi was-
Salaam) said:

“ “Kinship is connected to the Throne (`Arsh). It says: `Whoever severs me, then break (away from) him. And whoever maintains me, then keep connected to him.”

And in one narration:

“ “Verily, the kinship will be connected to the Throne of the Most Merciful on the Day of Judgement. It will say: `This is the place for the one who sought refuge in You from the severing (of family ties).’ So Allah will say to it: `Will it please you that I connect those who maintained you and that I cut off those who severed you?’ And it will say: `I will be pleased (with that), my Lord.'”

And he (sala Allahu `alihi was-Salaam) condemned the oppressive
leaders who do not show mercy to their people, by saying:

“ “The worst leaders are the cruel oppressive ones (al-hutamah).”

And Allah has named Himself Ar-Rahmaan and Ar-Raheem, so he is the
Most Merciful of this world and the Hereafter (i.e. Ar-Rahmaan) and
the bestower and giver of mercy (i.e. Raheem). This is why He has
commanded it in every place and in every situation. The Muslim begins
his action by saying Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem so that Allah can
bless him in his action. So every action that is void of mercy, then
there is no blessing in it, nor any good. And the servants of Allah
showing mercy towards one another is a cause for Allah sending His
mercy down on them.

The Prophet (sala Allahu `alihi was-Salaam) said:

“ “The Most Merciful shows mercy to those who have mercy on others. Show mercy to those on earth, and the One above the heaven will show mercy to you.”

O Allah, have mercy on us above the earth and below the earth and on
the Day when our deeds will be presented to us. And cause us to be
merciful to one another just as the Companions of Your Prophet (sala
Allahu `alihi was-Salaam) were. And have mercy on our dead ones and
put those who have mercy from amongst Your servants in charge over us
O Rahmaan O Raheem!

Source: Al-Asaalah Magazine (No. 21, pg. 17-19)

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